1. Method
Materials
Target. Two manipulated photos were used of the same female. One was
photo shopped to look more attractive than the original photo according to
universal guidelines on facial attractiveness. The other photo was manipulated
to look less attractive than the original photo.
Attractive Condition Unattractive Condition
Does Facial Attractiveness Affect People’s Perceptions Using Gchat?
Inci Akkaya, Binish Anjum & Elisha Yacono
Hofstra University
Objectives and Hypotheses
The present study explored the effect of physical attraction and likability
conversing with a person on g-mail chat.
The hypothesis tested were:
1. The more physically attractive a person is, the more likeable,
approachable, friendly, knowledgeable, likely to be chosen as a co-
worker, study mate and friend they will be believed to be . Furthermore, a
main effect for physical attraction between the two conditions
(unattractive vs. attractive) is expected.
2. A main effect should also be seen for the likeability scale between the
two different attractiveness conditions.
3. An interaction between gender and attractiveness of the model for the
likeability scale is expected.
Background
• Walster and Berscheid (1974) have found that babies as young as six
months old can decipher between attractive and unattractive faces, without
the influence of parents, peers, or the media .
• Studies have been conducted showing that there is a relationship between
an individual’s physical attractiveness and likeability (Dion & Berscheid,
1974).
• Snyder found that:
 when talking to attractive females, males would become more
pleasant, took the initiative more ,appeared more sociable,
sexually warm, interesting, independent, sexually permissive,
bold, outgoing, humorous, obvious, and socially adept.
 people considered physically attractive are also thought to be
more likable, friendly, confident, sensitive, and flexible, as
opposed to unattractive individuals (1970).
• Reis, Nezlek and Wheeler found that attractive males interacted for longer
periods of time with females . Also, they found that both sexes were more
satisfied when conversing with an attractive individual of the opposite sex
(1980).
Discussion
• The physical attractiveness of the model had marginally significant results
with the attractive model being rated slightly more attractive than the
unattractive model. This suggests that the picture did not depict obvious
differences.
• The sample size may have been too small for this study.
• Both of the pictures of the model displayed facial symmetry because the
alterations of her facial features were minimal and equal. Facial symmetry is
considered attractive, and therefore, that may be the reason why people
generally judged the model as attractive in both unattractive and attractive
conditions.
• The task was too engaging, and this caused the participants to focus more of
their attention on the conversation, instead of thinking about the person they
were talking to.
• Too many Caucasians as participants, This was a problem because same-
race individuals judge same-race people significantly more favorably than
those of another race (Fink, Grammer & Thornhill, 2001).
Method
Participants
There were 32 (16 females and 16 males) graduate and undergraduate
students from Hofstra University.
Measures
Likeability. A modified version of the Reysen likability scale was used with (1)
being very strongly disagree to (7) being very strongly agree.
Procedure
The participants were told that the study investigated human interaction
online and that they would be talking to a Nassau Community college student
who is interested in transferring to Hofstra. Participants were then given the
attractive or unattractive photograph . After looking at the photograph,
participants were then told to go to www.gmail.com. There was a Gmail
account created for the participants under an anonymous name. Even though
the participants believed they were speaking to the female in the picture they
were actually speaking to one of the experimenters. The chat went for 10
minutes and focused on basic “get to know you” interview questions and
about school life. After the chat session, participants were directed to an
online survey, assessing likeability of the woman they chatted with and the
participant’s demographics.
Results
 A MANOVA showed a marginally significant difference between physical attraction
and the two conditions (attractive vs. unattractive).
A significant difference was observed for friendliness and approachability for the two
conditions.
 No significant difference was observed for the other dimensions on the
survey.
No significant interaction between gender and attractiveness of the model for
the likeability scale were observed
References
Dion, K. K., Berscheid, E., & Walster, E. (1972). What is beautiful is good. Journal of Personality and
Social Psychology, 24, 285-290.
Fink, B., Grammer, K., & Thornhill, R. (2001). Human (Homo sapiens) facial attractiveness in relation
to skin texture and color. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 115(1), 92-99.
Reis, H. T., Nezlek, J., & Wheeler, L. (1980). Physical attractiveness in social interaction. Journal of
Personality and Social Psychology, 38(4), 604-617.
Snyder M (1977). Social Perception and Interpersonal Behavior: On the Self-Fulfilling Nature of Social
Stereotypes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 35(9), 656-666.