The Influence of Facial Attractiveness, Bodily Attractiveness, and Nonverbal Attractiveness on Person Perception and Employment Suitability

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session II
  In Interactive Paper Session: Interpersonal Communication Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

A persons' appearance conveys a lot of information used to infer information on the persons’ personality and behavior. Especially the attractiveness triggers beneficial attribution, like being friendly or competent (Dion, Berscheid, & Walster, 1972). With respect to the job- market context, attractive applicants are also evaluated as more suitable for employment. To figure out which features of the outward appearance influence job-related attributions, we conducted an online-experiment. In a 2 (facial attractiveness) x 2 (bodily attractiveness) x 2 (nonverbal attractiveness) x 2 (gender) between-subject-design, 1729 participants were presented with one pictures of a job applicant and evaluated social competence, dominance and job suitability for female-typed and male-typed jobs. Results show several interaction effects of the manipulated variables, e.g. indicating that a thin body and an attractive face are most decisive in the job context. In addition, we revealed a “beauty-is-beastly-effect” for men, when they were assumed to apply for a female-typed job

Authors

• Sabrina Sobieraj, U of Duisburg-Essen

• Meike Gabriel, U of Duisburg-Essen