Comparison of Selected Perceptual and Personality Variables among College Women Deviant and Non-Deviant in Their Appearance

40 college women, 20 designated as deviant and 20 as non-deviant on the basis of skirt length, were administered measures of field-dependence, psychological security-insecurity, inner-other directedness and orientations to dress. The hypothesized difference between deviant and non-deviant Ss on selected variables of perception and personality was largely confirmed. Deviant Ss were significantly more field-independent, psychologically more secure, and had a stronger orientation to dress to seek rewards and to be different from others than non-deviant Ss. The latter were more field-dependent, more insecure, and had a greater orientation to dress to avoid punishment and to be like others. Deviants and non-deviants were not significantly different in inner-other directedness; both groups scored within the other-directed range.