Perceptions of Physical Attractiveness as Manipulated by Dress: SubjectsVersusIndependent Judges

Summary After a photograph of a stranger had been defined as either physically attractive, unattractive, or neutrally attractive by 20 independent female judges, 72 female subjects judged the photograph on items that were similar to those typically used in studies of physical attractiveness. One item specifically concerned physical attractiveness. For each subject the stranger differed only in forms of apparel worn. The subjects' ratings of physical attractiveness differed significantly from judges' ratings, suggesting that differences were attributable to differences in methods of defining physical attractiveness level. Results indicate that when subjects evaluated physical attractiveness that was manipulated by dress, more consistent stereotypical judgments were made than when independent judges defined physical attractiveness.