Physical Attractiveness Stereotype in Causal Attributions for Socially Undesirable Behavior

Abstract

Causal attributions for socially undesirable behavior performed by physically attractive and unattractive stimulus persons were investigated among 144 men and women respondents. An attributional bias was predicted such that upon learning that a person has engaged in socially undesirable behavior in the context of a pattern of low consensus, low distinctiveness, and high consistency information, respondents would make more internal attributions for unattractive than for attractive persons. It was also predicted that respondents exposed to a pattern of high consensus, high distinctiveness, and high consistency information would make more external attributions for attractive than for unattractive individuals. These predictions were not confirmed. Although there was evidence for stereotyping of physical attractiveness, respondents (72 male and 72 female undergraduates) indicated no bias in the causal attributions made for the behavior of individuals differing in attractiveness. These findings suggest a limitation of the generality of the stereotype of physical attractiveness.