Dion (1972) (halo effect)

method

correlational study

aim

study whether physically attractive people are assumed to possess more “socially desirable personality traits” and lead better lives

sample

30 men, 30 women (Uni Students)

procedure

1) part. told different aim of study 2) ea part. given 3 envelopes with different people (1 attractive, 1 conventional, 1 unattractive) 3) ½ given same gender, ½ given opposite gender 4) part. asked to rate person in photo on 27 personality traits + which one most/least likely to be happy (in marriage, parent) and job/social class

findings

positive personality traits: most attractive, highest scores overall: attractive person, except parental happiness: highest score average, lowest attractive

Strengths

+ large sample + male and female in both categories + pre rated attractiveness of people

Limitations

- low ecological validity -deception used - replicated studies: different results