The Physical Attractiveness Phenomena

Physical attractiveness phenomena permeate society with somber ramifica­ tions. Correspondingly, practical applications of physical attractiveness phenomena are extensive. The consequence is that almost every person can benefit from knowledge about research on physical attractiveness. Such research material provides valuable information for persons established in their careers, as well as those preparing for a career. Similarly, parents at all stages of their life cycle should be cognizant of how physical attractiveness impacts the psychological and physiological development of children. Because no one is isolated from physical attractiveness phenomena, knowledge of this material should be imperative for everyone. This book consolidates research that specifically addresses physical attractiveness. The first summary was a classic review presented over 10 years ago (Berscheid & Walster, 1974). Since then the research literature has continued to grow, but no comprehensive review has again been published. Even though research summaries have been presented in a compilation of psychological abstracts (Cash, 1980), and in a discussion of stereotyping literature (Adams, 1982), the study of physical attractiveness phenomena is due for a comprehensive account and an analysis of the extensive, divergent research.

Contenu

1 . Introduction.- Framework.- Demarcation.- Person Perception.- Societal Importance.- Communication and Physical Attractiveness.- Resistance of the Public.- Reluctance of the Scientific Community.- Fundamentals.- Pervasiveness.- Subtleness.- Socialization.- Summary.- 2 . Measurement of Physical Attractiveness.- Development.- Measurement Process.- Measure Qualification.- Measure Reliability.- Test-Retest.- Measurement Procedures.- Measure Reliability Conclusion.- Self-Measures versus Other Measures.- Self Judges.- Other Judges.- Measure Validity.- Moderate Physical Attractiveness.- Inattention.- Pro Argument.- Con Argument.- Summary.- Research Procedure: Experimental Design.- Measurement Limitations.- 3 . Interpersonal Realities.- Expectations and Assumptions.- Psychopathology.- Lay Public.- Professionals and Institutions.- Educational Milieu.- Children's Endowment.- Teachers' Endowments.- Student Performance.- Self-Fulfilling Prophecy.- Social Deviance.- Children.- Adults.- Crime and Courts.- Antecedent Conditions.- Beneficial Circumstances.- Rape.- Verdict.- Helping Behavior.- Seekers.- Providers.- Professionals.- Conclusion.- 4 . Interpersonal Reciprocations.- Romantic Attraction.- Prior to Meeting.- Dating Stage.- Marriage.- Sex Differences.- Nonintimate Liking.- Employment.- Job Applicants.- Employee Reality.- Discrimination and Employment.- Conclusion.- 5 . Intrapersonal Realities.- Reality.- Interpersonal Outcomes.- Self-Fulfilling Prophecy.- Friends and Dates.- Social Power.- Personality.- Institutionalized Persons.- Personal Traits.- Self-Concept.- Independence and Confidence.- Social Skills.- Physiological Effects.- Prospective Horizon.- 6 . Determinants of Physical Attractiveness.- Hierarchical Rankings.- Sex Differences.- Self-Evaluations.- Other Evaluations.- Body Peculiarities.- The Face.- General Facial Research.- Specific Facial Research.- Physique.- Hierarchy of Importance.- Component Dimensions.- Height.- Subtle Prejudice.- Alteration.- Accentuation.- Preferences.- Political Benefit.- Employment Benefits.- Perceptual Distortions.- Academic Status.- Personality.- Attitudes.- Behavior.- Association.- Prestige.- Intimacy.- Sex Effects.- Same-Sex.- Context.- Past and Present.- Musical Environment.- Time Pressure.- Conclusion.- 7 . Persuasive Communication: Original Research.- The Need.- Persuasive Communication.- Source versus Communicator.- Source Credibility.- Physical Attractiveness.- Physical Attractiveness Phenomena.- Measurement: Truth-of-Consensus.- Physical Attractiveness and Persuasive Communication.- Research Problem and Hypotheses.- Research Methodology.- Overall Procedure.- Phase One.- Pilot Test.- Phase Two.- Analyses and Results.- Manipulation Check.- Hypothesis One.- Hypothesis Two.- Hypothesis Three.- Hypothesis Four.- Hypothesis Five.- Hypothesis Six.- Hypothesis Seven.- Conclusions.- Practitioner Implications.- Future Research.- Theoretical Proposition.- Modeling.- Rationale.- 8 . Cultures and Societies.- Cross-Cultural Corroboration.- Reliability.- Informational Cue.- Ability.- Legal Process.- Helping Behavior.- Romantic Attraction.- Nonromantic Attraction.- Determinants.- Intrapersonal.- Subcultures.- Response by Society.- Promulgation.- Reaction and Resistance.- Compliance and Action.- Applications.- Mass Media.- Legal System.- Expanding Plight.- 9 . Science and Theory.- Philosophy and History.- Papology.- Resistance.- Implications for Actions.- State of Affairs.- Summary.- Current Knowledge.- Theory.- Ascription.- Substratum.- Excrescence.- Illapse.- Impingement.- Collectivism.- Conclusion.- Future Research Quests.- References.