Double Standards in Smoking, Attractiveness, and Social Image Cues

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among gender, smoking status, and social attractiveness. Participants (N = 152) were shown 4 different images of male and female models. Each participant received a set of photographs; however, participants in the smoking group saw an image of a model holding a cigarette, whereas participants in the nonsmoking group saw the same model with the cigarette digitally removed. Participants then rated the physical attractiveness of, and attributed a social image descriptor to, the models. Results indicate that a male model was rated as more attractive and masculine when shown smoking. Conversely, the female model was rated as less attractive when shown with a cigarette.

Keywords:

• Antismoking Messages
• Attractiveness
• Experiment
• Gender Differences
• Physical Attractiveness
• Smoking

Notes

Note. Means with different subscripts are significantly different from each other.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jenny R. Thoma

Jenny R. Thoma (MA, West Virginia University, 2011) is a doctoral student in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University.

Keith Weber

Keith Weber (EdD, West Virginia University, 1998) is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University.