KUKU

KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    The Importance of Attraction in Everyday Life: The Cultural-Ecological Moderation Hypothesis in Consumer Context

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Anderson_ku_0099D_13009_DATA_1.pdf (932.2Kb)
    Issue Date
    2013-08-31
    Author
    Anderson, Stephanie Lian
    Publisher
    University of Kansas
    Format
    96 pages
    Type
    Dissertation
    Degree Level
    Ph.D.
    Discipline
    Psychology
    Rights
    This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Research documents the importance of attraction in everyday life, such that life outcomes are more positive for good-looking people than less good-looking people. Theory and research in cultural psychology provide evidence that this relationship between appearance and outcomes varies as a function of cultural and ecological circumstances. In particular, the cultural-ecological moderation hypothesis suggests that engagement with cultural models that promote a construction of relationship as choice amplify the importance of attraction and attractiveness in everyday life. The present work tests this hypothesis by investigating the effect of consumerism context on judgments about life outcomes of people with good-looking and less good-looking appearance (appearance discrimination). In Study 1, appearance discrimination was greater among participants who completed measures in the presence of images depicting technology-related consumer products than participants in a non-consumer control condition. Results of Study 2 revealed no statistically significant variations in appearance effects as a function of experimental conditions. In Study 3, appearance discrimination in evaluations of personality traits was greater among older participants who completed the survey near a shopping mall (consumer context) than among older participants who completed the survey in a park (non-consumer context). Additionally, appearance discrimination in evaluation of anticipated life outcomes was greater among young participants than among older participants. Although results provide some evidence for the cultural-ecological moderation hypothesis, conclusive experimental evidence awaits further research.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/12239
    Collections
    • Dissertations [3958]
    • Psychology Dissertations and Theses [310]

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    The University of Kansas
      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps