Lecture 21- Psychology of appearance I

Question 1

What do we do?

Answer 1

• 2 lectures
• Each supported by personal perspective • Appearance
• Historical aspects
• Power of media and stereotypes
• Importance of language
• Attitudes

Question 2

What are the visible and invisible differences, what are the issues with this?

Answer 2

-Biomedical language – can be ‘demeaning’
- Impact on developing self worth and self esteem ‘Person first’ language and individual preferences
-Appearance is a universal topic
Illegal to discriminate based on ethnicity, gender etc
But - snap judgements and stereotyping
“the face is the image of the soul” (Cicero)
“men with small foreheads are fickle” (Aristotle)
Influences of society, the media, parents, family and friends

Question 3

What was the case historically with appearance?

Answer 3

• Appearance important • Cultural emphasis
• Examples?
-fairy tale: portray good as pretty and ugly as evil

Question 4

What are the perceptions of people if more attractive?

Answer 4

• More favourable character traits
• More sociable, socially skilled, sexually warm, have
better mental health
• Higher IQ if more symmetrical features
• Attributes important when we first meet someone
• May change as become more familiar, less reliance on
difference
• However may remain influenced by visible difference

Question 5

What if there is no visible difference?

Answer 5

• “Normative discontent” (Rodin 1985)
• Appearance concern/dissatisfaction •
• Experienced by both genders (greater concern to women)
• Common concerns

Question 6

What is physical appearance correlated with?

Answer 6

• Physical appearance correlates strongly with self worth (Harter 1999)
• Age related
• Society’s role
• Shaming
• Parental attitudes
• Differential treatment
• T easing and bullying
• Adolescent beliefs

Question 7

What are the issues with visible appearance?

Answer 7

• Historical discrimination and fear
• Babies and parents routinely sacrificed
• Witches and physical deformities
• Facial differences - excluded, linked with criminality,
interpreted as sign of other traits
• T eachers and less attractive children
• Media reinforces negative images

Question 8

What are the issues with propaganda?

Answer 8

-jews depicted unfavourably

Question 9

What are the types of visible differences?

Answer 9

• Congenital /genetic anomalies
• Acquired
• Developmental stage
• Lateonset
• Self inflicted

Question 10

What are the impacts of visible differences?

Answer 10

Impacts
• Role of antenatal screening
• Reactions of professionals
• Family and friends
• Attachment to baby

Question 11

What are the issues with developing self with visible differences?

Answer 11

Developing Self Concept:
• Disfigurement
• Social difficulties
• Transition times
• Adolescence
• Internalising /externalising issues
• Treatment needs

Question 12

What are the issues with adulthood and visible differences?

Answer 12

-Adulthood
• Negative self perceptions
• Difference increasing
• Fears about reactions
• Shame and stigma (Goffman 1963)
• Need for privacy
• Social isolation
• Prejudice and judgement
• Maintaining long term relationships

Question 13

What are the issues for parents and visible differences?

Answer 13

• Resolving feelings
• Explaining to child
• Overprotection/independence
• Practical issues
• Attitudes of siblings
• May impact on relationships in family

Question 14

EXAM!

Answer 14

-how young people develop their self concept