The Influence of Prejudice on Attractiveness

Abstract
The increase in diversity of ethnic groups attending colleges and universities has led many researchers to study minority students perspective on the supportiveness of college campuses. In an attempt to increase understanding on prejudice, the researchers investigated levels of prejudice among different ethnic groups. Participants in the study were African American, and Caucasian undergraduates. They were shown 12 photos depicting different ethnicities. They were asked to rate their attractiveness; they were also asked to fill out a questionnaire (which rated the students level of prejudice) and then fill out a short demographics survey. Results showed that there was no indication that race of the rater affected the level of attraction towards the photo.

Liliana Gomez and Jeremy Allen

Dr. Noice, Faculty Sponsor PSY 356: Research Methods Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Illinois

Photos

Results
A 2 X 2 repeated measures ANOVA was computed A repeated measures ANOVA yield a main effect for overall attractiveness of photos, F(1,25) = .000*** not possible****, p < .001, indicating that attractiveness of photos was significant. The one-way repeated measures ANOVA also yielded a main effect for the attractiveness of photo in comparison to the race of the photo, F(1,25) = .982, p < .001, showing no significant effect on the race of the photo and the level of attractiveness A repeated measures ANOVA showed an interaction for attractiveness of the photo and the race of the rater, F(1,25)= .984, p >.001, showing no significant effect of the race of the rater on the race of the photo.. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RESULTS OF YOUR SURVEY?

Introduction
Worthington, Loewy, Navarro, and Hart (2008) studied the effects of students different outlooks on the social environment of the campus. Results: They found that students who had higher levels of color-blind racial attitudes (not being able to recognize racial differences) view the social environment more positive than other students. According to Helm et al. (1998), Whites do not notice the importance of their own culture in comparison to other cultures because the schools culture is basically designed for them since they are the majority (Worthington et al, 2008). Lepore and Brown (1997) researched whether or not people who have high levels of prejudice and people who have low levels of prejudice hold the same stereotypes of ethnic minorities. Results: Their study was consistent with past studies because it revealed that stereotypes were shared among people even if they were low on prejudice. In general, participants held ethnic stereotypes that were negative. Soble, Spanierman, and Liao (2010) examined the effects of watching a movie on the racial attitudes of white university students.

Conclusions
Main Findings

Table 1
Mean Attractiveness Ratings for Photos of African Americans and Caucasians as a Function of the Race of the Rater

Our results didnt support our prediction because the race of the rater did not have any significant effect on how they judged photos of African Americans and Caucasians. In other words, there was no difference in how the raters judged the attractiveness of the photos.

Photos
Conclusion: They found that the brief video clip in the experimental group produced significant racial attitude changes.

Rater

Found a significant effect for the person portrayed in the photo Overall Attractive photos were rated higher regardless of race

Caucasian
After, the video in the experimental condition students were able to understand the experiences, feelings, and emotions ethnic minorities went through.

African American

Negative Outcome: This study did not have Hispanic participants even though photos of Hispanics were presented.

Race M SD M SD

Positive Outcome: Results indicate that prejudice has decreased over the years. Future directions: Prejudice of populations other than college students should be studied

Method
12 photos; 6 attractive and 6 unattractive

Attractive Caucasian

3.85

.18

3.43

.31

Attractive African American

Race of the photos: Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic 8 questions were selected from the Quick Index Discrimination (Ponterrotto et al., 1995). Example of Questions used: I really think affirmative action programs on college campuses constitute reverse discrimination.

4.15

.21

4.21

.35

Unattractive Caucasian Unattractive African

1.65

.12

1.50

.21

2.23 American

.16

2.00

.27

Research Question
Does race or prejudice influence how people judge the attractiveness of other races? Hypotheses: We hypothesized that if someone sees a picture of a person of a different ethnic, national, or racial background from their own they will rate them more negatively as opposed to someone with similar characteristics as their own.

NOTE: Caucasian raters: n = 20 African-American raters: n= 7