ERIC Number: ED230991
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1983-Apr
Pages: 31
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Body Type Attractiveness Preferences of the Aged.
Portnoy, Enid J.
A study explored the relationship between body types and four attraction dimensions (physical, social, task, and communication) as perceived by older adults (mean age 68). Subjects, 35 males and 73 females in private residences and senior citizen centers, were shown three same-sex body silhouettes representing the older ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph and asked to indicate which they (1) found most attractive, (2) would prefer as a friend, (3) would choose to work with, (4) would prefer to have a conversation with, (5) would most like to look like, and (6) thought looked most like them. The response packets were individually collected, allowing the experimenter to code the subjects' observed body type. Data analysis revealed that sex of subject was not a significant differentiator of attractiveness ratings. Instead, significant effects appeared between subjects' body type as compared with body type preference. Ectomorph and endomorph data suggested significant preferences for body types similar to their own. Endomorphs did not regard ectomorphs as desired work partners, while ectomorphs strongly preferred their own body type as a conversation partner--more so than did endomorphs or mesomorphs. Across most dimensions, the endomorph was discriminated against by the other body types. (FL)
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Communication Association (Ocean City, MD, April 27-30, 1983).