The Halo Effect Essay Example
Abstract
In this study I aimed to test the presence of the ‘halo effect’ in interpersonal attraction. The ‘halo effect’ occurs when attractive people are attributed with other positive personality traits; a positive correlation between physical attractiveness and perceived positive personality characteristics (for example, trustworthiness and intelligence).
In this study the above hypothesis was tested by selecting four photographs (two male and two female) of people with varying levels of attractiveness and asking participants to rate the attractiveness and personality characteristics images in a questionnaire. The personality rating was based on the following; trustworthiness, approachability, humour, popularity, confidence and sociability. Forty participants aged 16-18 (20 males and 20 females) were asked to complete the questionnaire and rate the physical attractiveness and personalities of the people in the images based on a scale of 0-10 (10 being the highest).
In analysing the raw data, Spearman’s rank was chosen as the statistical test. The correlation was significant (p = 0.05, critical value = 1, observed value = 1, alternative hypothesis accepted). This supports previous research and suggests that the halo effect is present in society, and that attractive people are attributed with positive personality characteristics.
Introduction
Interpersonal attraction is at the basis of all relationships; but why are we attracted to some people and not to others?
This is a well researched question in psychology. Physical attractiveness is believed to be one of the most important factors in interpersonal attraction. A theory of physical attractiveness is that it affects interpersonal attraction due to the ‘halo effect’, Berry (2001). When we perceive someone as physically attractive we attribute other positive characteristics to them also.
In a meta-analysis of 200 studies, Feingold (1992) found that attractive people were assumed to be more
In this study I aimed to test the presence of the ‘halo effect’ in interpersonal attraction. The ‘halo effect’ occurs when attractive people are attributed with other positive personality traits; a positive correlation between physical attractiveness and perceived positive personality characteristics (for example, trustworthiness and intelligence).
In this study the above hypothesis was tested by selecting four photographs (two male and two female) of people with varying levels of attractiveness and asking participants to rate the attractiveness and personality characteristics images in a questionnaire. The personality rating was based on the following; trustworthiness, approachability, humour, popularity, confidence and sociability. Forty participants aged 16-18 (20 males and 20 females) were asked to complete the questionnaire and rate the physical attractiveness and personalities of the people in the images based on a scale of 0-10 (10 being the highest).
In analysing the raw data, Spearman’s rank was chosen as the statistical test. The correlation was significant (p = 0.05, critical value = 1, observed value = 1, alternative hypothesis accepted). This supports previous research and suggests that the halo effect is present in society, and that attractive people are attributed with positive personality characteristics.
Introduction
Interpersonal attraction is at the basis of all relationships; but why are we attracted to some people and not to others?
This is a well researched question in psychology. Physical attractiveness is believed to be one of the most important factors in interpersonal attraction. A theory of physical attractiveness is that it affects interpersonal attraction due to the ‘halo effect’, Berry (2001). When we perceive someone as physically attractive we attribute other positive characteristics to them also.
In a meta-analysis of 200 studies, Feingold (1992) found that attractive people were assumed to be more