Abstract / Excerpt:

Society has put great value on physical attractiveness. In Ateneo de Davao University alone, students have reported that physical attractiveness influences student-student relationships and teacher-student relationships. Claims have been made that physical attractiveness is a major factor in influencing the behaviors of others. This research investigated the effects of physical attractiveness on helping behavior. In this study, the researchers conducted an experiment in a controlled environment wherein 33 respondents were exposed to a confederate who was in need of help. The respondents' reaction - to help or not to help the confederate - was observed via one-way mirror. The results suggested that the physically attractive confederates were equally as likely to receive help as the physically unattractive confederates. Minority Identity, as indicated by the presence of a hijab, was also examined. Results showed that helping behavior was associated more with minority identity than with physical attractiveness. With these results, it is possible to infer that first, physical attractiveness is not related to helping behavior. Second, ambivalent and aversive racism are at work. Finally, the presence of a social marker (the hijab) with our female confederates who assumed a minority status may have drawn attention to them - attention that is required before the decision to help is made - thus helping behavior is manifest

Info

Source Institution	Ateneo de Davao University
Unit	Social Science
Authors	Abellon, Carlo Jose V.
Page Count	1
Place of Publication	Davao City
Original Publication Date	March 2, 2009
Tags	Psychology

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