Date of Award:
5-1983
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Psychology
Committee Chair(s)
William R. Dobson (Committee Co-Chair), Gerald R. Adams (Committee Co-Chair)
Committee
William R. Dobson
Committee
Gerald R. Adams
Committee
Catherine Surra
Committee
Sharyn Crossman
Committee
Charles Green
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine if male and female communicators utilize different styles of persuasion with an attractive versus an unattractive female target. Forty undergraduate students were asked to persuade a female confederate in either an attractive condition or an unattractive condition to eat M&M's. Perceptions of attractiveness and personality assessments were checked by a post-experimental questionnaire. Influence attempts were rated and categorized by the use of the Social Interaction Scoring System. Individual responses were then factor analyzed to identify profiles of persuasive communication. These behavioral profiles were then statistically compared across experimental conditions by analyses of variance.
No significant differences were found for sex or experimental condition. The subjects did, however, perceive the confederate as significantly more attractive when in the attractive condition than when in the unattractive condition. Further, while the confederate was perceived as more curious and perceptive when in the attractive condition, she was perceived as more indifferent and insensitive when in the unattractive condition. From the results of this study, it -was concluded that people do not necessarily alter their persuasive technique according to the attractiveness of the target person. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed, and suggestions for further research are given.
Checksum
4d6f5ea568bc6707e4cd0f86a7848a80
Recommended Citation
Lee, Laurie Jean, "Social Interaction: The Relationship Between Facial Attractiveness and Verbal Influence Style" (1983). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 5924.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/5924
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