Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Pressure to Look Attractive Linked to Fear of Rejection in Men and Women

Pressure to Look Attractive Linked to Fear of Rejection in Men and Women

June 01, 2009

BUFFALO, N.Y. - People who feel pressure to look attractive are more fearful of being rejected because of their appearance than are their peers, according to a new study by researchers at the University at Buffalo and the University of Kent.

The study of appearance-based rejection sensitivity among college students was conducted by Lora Park, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology and graduate student Ann Marie DiRaddo, of the University at Buffalo, and Rachel Calogero, Ph.D., a lecturer in psychology at the University of Kent.




It was published in the spring edition of Psychology of Women Quarterly (Vo. 33, Issue 1), a publication of the American Psychological Association.

The researchers found that overall women showed greater sensitivity to appearance rejection than did men. This was particularly true of women who felt they needed to look attractive in order to be accepted by their peers. The study also found that men and women who had internalized media ideals of attractiveness had higher levels of appearance-based rejection sensitivity than did their peers.

No relationship was found between parents' perceptions of attractiveness and study participants' increased sensitivity to appearance-based rejection. Thus, peer and media influences, rather than parental influence, play a key role in appearance-based rejection sensitivity.

"There is a lot of research to suggest that physically attractive people are less stigmatized by others in this society, and have significant advantages in many areas of life than those who are viewed as physically unattractive," Park says.

"Our study suggests that when people feel pressure to look attractive, whether from their friends or the media, they may be putting themselves at risk for experiencing negative outcomes that may limit their development and enjoyment of life in many ways."

Indeed, previous research by Park found that appearance-based rejection sensitivity is related to negative mental and physical health outcomes, such as feeling unattractive, feeling badly about oneself when comparing one's appearance with others, feeling lonely and rejected when thinking about disliked aspects of one's appearance, and showing increased risk for eating disorders.

The study sample consisted of 220 (106 women, 114 men) U.S. college students ranging from 18 to 33 years of age. Participants responded to a series of questionnaires, including scales that assessed the perceived influence of peers and parents on sensitivity to appearance-based rejection, and the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Scale-3, which assesses dimensions of media influence related to body image and appearance.

These results were found even after controlling for people's self-esteem, self-perceived attractiveness and sensitivity to rejection in general.

Although the current study focused on a predominantly young, white college-age sample, Park says future research should investigate appearance-based rejection sensitivity across diverse age and ethnic groups, in order to better understand its prevalence and to examine how it might be reduced.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.

The University at Buffalo



Related Appearance Current Events and Appearance News Articles Appearance Current Events and Appearance News RSS Appearance Current Events and Appearance News RSS
Plastic surgeons offer microsurgery technique for breast reconstruction, tummy tuck after mastectomy
Since her teens, Jennifer Jablon had watched family members deal with breast cancer during their 40s, 50s, and 60s. She wondered whether it would be her fate too.

Use of cannabinoids (marijuana) could help post-traumatic stress disorder patients
Use of cannabinoids (marijuana) could assist in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder patients. This is exposed in a new study carried out at the Learning and Memory Lab in the University of Haifa's Department of Psychology.

When should flu trigger a school shutdown?
As flu season approaches, parents around the country are starting to face school closures. But how bad should an influenza outbreak be for a school to shut down?

First impressions count when making personality judgments, new research shows
First impressions do matter when it comes to communicating personality through appearance, according to new research by psychologists Laura Naumann of Sonoma State University and Sam Gosling of The University of Texas at Austin.

Laser etching safe alternative for labeling grapefruit
Laser labeling of fruit and vegetables is a new, patented technology in which a low-energy carbon dioxide laser beam is used to label, or "etch" information on produce, thereby eliminating the need for common sticker-type labels.

Weight Training Boosts Breast Cancer Survivors' Body Image and Satisfaction with Intimate Relationships, Penn Study Shows
In addition to building muscle, weightlifting is also a prescription for self-esteem among breast cancer survivors, according to new University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine research.

Blood vessels might predict prostate cancer behavior
A diagnosis of prostate cancer raises the question for patients and their physicians as to how the tumor will behave. Will it grow quickly and aggressively and require continuous treatment, or slowly, allowing therapy and its risks to be safely delayed?

New dinosaur species from Montana
A husband and wife team of American paleontologists has discovered a new species of dinosaur that lived 112 million years ago during the early Cretaceous of central Montana.

UB Study Explores How Women Make Decisions About Breast Cancer Surgery
For women just diagnosed with breast cancer, one of the important decisions confronting them is whether to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy. A diagnosis of breast cancer will affect one in every eight women in the United States.

Aggressive microdermabrasion induces wound-healing response in aging skin
Microdermabrasion using a coarse diamond-studded instrument appears to induce molecular changes in the skin of older adults that mimic the way skin is remodeled during the wound healing process.
More Appearance Current Events and Appearance News Articles
Appearance is Everything

Appearance is Everything
by Steve Jeffes (Author)

At last...a revealing book at how your appearance may determine your success and happiness in life. Jeffes helps readers to determine if they have been discriminated against because of their appearance. Appearance is Everything will enable you to critically examine how your appearance may influence relationships, academic performance, and career advancement.

Looks: Why They Matter More Than You Ever Imagined

Looks: Why They Matter More Than You Ever Imagined
by Gordon Patzer Ph.D. (Author)

We all know one hard and undeniable truth: Physical beauty comes with tremendous power, and tremendous benefits. Those who possess it are generally luckier in love, more likely to be popular, and more apt to get better grades in school. But very few of us realize just how much looks affect every aspect of our lives. Recent studies document that people blessed with good looks earn about 10% more than their average-looking colleagues. They are also more likely to get hired and promoted at work. What exactly is this "physical attractiveness" phenomenon and how does it affect each and every one of us?

Dr. Gordon L. Patzer has devoted the last 30 years to investigating this unsettling phenomenon for both women and men, and how it touches every part of our lives. In Looks, he reveals not...

Keeping Up Appearances: The Full Bouquet

Keeping Up Appearances: The Full Bouquet
Also With: Patricia Routledge (Performer)

Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced "bouquet") goes to incredible lengths in her quest for perfection. Hers is a spick-and-span house. Her downtrodden husband Richard acts as chauffeur in their immaculately kept car. Their permanently absent son has a superior name Sheridan. Even the empty milk bottles sparkle on the doorstep after their obligatory rinse in the dishwasher. Hyacinth delights in her "candlelit suppers" but her guests live in fear of receiving her invitations. Next-door neighbor Liz is so nervous that she is guaranteed to break or spill something. Her brother Emmet hides every time he sees Hyacinth. And the Buckets' distinguished friend the Major and the vicar and his wife all do their best to keep out of her way. In marked contrast to Hyacinth's meticulously ordered life however...

Saving the Appearances: A Study in Idolatry.

Saving the Appearances: A Study in Idolatry.
by Owen Barfield (Author)

Barfield draws on sources from mythology, philosophy, history, literature, theology, and science to chronicle the evolution of human thought from Moses and Aristotle to Galileo and Keats.

Lamentations of Jeremiah, 2nd Set

Lamentations of Jeremiah, 2nd Set
Vocal Appearance (Primary Contributor)



Marvel Legends Series 14 Action Figure 1st Appearance Iron Man

Marvel Legends Series 14 Action Figure 1st Appearance Iron Man
by Toy Biz

Name: 1st Appearance Iron Man
Manufacturer: Toy Biz
Series: Marvel Legends
Release Date: July 2006
Details (Description): Series 14 known as the Mojo Series is jam-packed with some of the most desired figures to date! Each figure features a top-notch paint application as well as the sculpting and articulation you've come to know from Marvel Legends!

* Collect the whole set and you can form the large figure - MOJO!"

Personal Appearance

Personal Appearance
by Sonny Stitt



A Strange Man

A Strange Man
Starring: Patricia Routledge, Clive Swift, Josephine Tewson, Judy Cornwell, David Griffin
Also With: BBC (Producer)



Keeping Up Appearances - Giftset 2 [VHS]

Keeping Up Appearances - Giftset 2 [VHS]
Starring: Patricia Routledge, Clive Swift, Geoffrey Hughes, Judy Cornwell, Josephine Tewson



Keeping Up Appearances : Hyacinth Bucket's Book of Etiquette for the Socially Less Fortunate

Keeping Up Appearances : Hyacinth Bucket's Book of Etiquette for the Socially Less Fortunate
by Roy Clarke (Author), Jonathan Rice (Author)

Hyacinth Bucket - pronounced "Bouquet" - star of the BBC1 comedy series, "Keeping Up Appearances", imparts her personal views on protecting one's social standing. There are sections on etiquette in the home, entertaining, social obligations, how to strike up an acquaintance with members of the aristocracy, and improving the mind. They all give an insight into Hyacinth's philosophy of life, developed through years of candle-light suppers and charity sub-committee meetings. The book is based on the television scripts by Roy Clarke.

© 2009 BrightSurf.com