Premium
Physical Attractiveness and Access to Alcohol: What Is Beautiful Does Not Get Carded 1
Author(s) -
McCall Michael
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.1997.tb00641.x
Subject(s) - attractiveness , physical attractiveness , perception , psychology , social psychology , neuroscience , psychoanalysis
This research examined whether previously documented social benefits associated with physical attractiveness would influence the decision to request proof of legal age for the purchase of alcohol. Undergraduates were presented with a photograph of a highly attractive or less attractive member of the opposite gender that they diddid not expect to meet. Results indicated that the opportunity to interact with a highly attractive member of the opposite gender significantly reduced the chances that the target would be asked to provide proof of legal age. Physical attractiveness was positively related to perceptions of age in the perception of male targets, hut not for females. The implications of these findings for restricting alcohol availability among minors are considered.