CONTRAST EFFECT

Kelly Carew

MMMMMMM ICE CREAM!

MMMMMMM ICE CREAM!

WHICH LOOKS MORE TEMPTING?

1 2

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM ICE CREAM!!!!!!!!!!

WHICH LOOKS MORE TEMPTING?

1 2

WHAT IS CONTRAST EFFECT?

• Object appears better or worse depending on what it is compared to

• All judgments are relative

• Individuals use relevant information to make judgments availability heuristic

EXAMPLE OF CONTRAST

EFFECT

World’s tallest man: 7.9 Ft

meets

World’s shortest man: 2.4 ft

INSPIRATION…• Study mentioned in Aronson by Douglas Kenrick and Sara Gutierres

• Asked males in dorm to rate attractiveness of a potential “blind date” for friend

• Some men watching Charlie’s AngelsOthers were not

• Those watching rated the average female as less attractive than those not watching

METHODS

• 8 girls

• 4- shown picture of average man

• 4- shown picture of hotties then average man

• Both groups answered survey…

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

How attractive is this man?Unattractive Average Very Attractive

How likely would you be to go on a date with this man?Not likely Ehh Very Likely

How important are looks when dating a man?

Not at all Moderately Very

MALE IN QUESTION

Hotties used as a point of comparison

How attractive is this man?

Hotties: 3,3,6, 6 Just man: 3,7,7,8,

Average: 4. 75 Average: 6.25

How likely would you be to date this man?

Hotties: 1, 3,5, 6 Just man: 1,2,5,

Average: 3.75 Average: 4

How important are looks when dating?

Hotties: 6,8,8,10 Just man: 4,6,8,8,

Average: 8 Average: 6.5

RESULTS

For the most part contrast did have an effect, male alone was rated higher

Problems:1. It was hard to find a male that had a

similar body type and pose-but was unattractive

2. The man in question may have been perceived as being unattractive because of his facial expression

3. Girls had a different view of physical attractiveness

4. Girls have a varied opinion of how important looks are

DISCUSSION