| dc.description.abstract | The present study investigated the effects of three variables on the attractiveness of a male Negro, (1) the race of a similar aged male co-actor who appeared with him, (2) the role of the co-actor, and (3) the physical setting in which both stimulus models appeared. The stimulus properties of the co-actor and the physical setting were hypothesized to affect the degree of assumed similarity expressed toward the target. Due to the exploratory nature of the study, a general hypothesis was advanced, increasing the assumed similarity between a perceiver and a target's co-actor would increase the target's attractiveness by increasing the assumed similarity between the perceiver and the target. Attraction toward the target was expected to be the greatest when a high degree of assumed similarity was perceived toward each member of the dyad. The experimental design consisted of two control groups and a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial representing the setting (private or public), the co-actor's race (Negro or Caucasian), and the co-actor's role (student or factory worker). In the control groups the target appeared alone in each setting. The ten compositions of a setting, the target, and a co-actor were photographed. In all photographs the target appeared as a student (high status role) and wore the same casual dress, whereas the apparel of a co-actor varied. The models sat on a sofa or on a public bench. One hundred fifty male Caucasians were randomly distributed among the ten conditions. Each subject in an experimental group received a booklet consisting of a colored photograph and instruments measuring attractiveness of the target, assumed similarity toward each model, assumed similarity between the modals, and attribution of four personality traits to the target. A week: later another experimenter measured the subjects' attitudes toward Negroes. The following results were obtained, (1) Although the target was rated as more dissimilar when he appeared with a low status role co-actor in a private setting, neither liking of the target nor willingness to work with him decreased. (2) The experimental manipulations did not produce any variation in the assumed similarity expressed toward the co-actor. (3) The meeting was rated as less transitory when the co-actor was Negro. Greater friendship was perceived between the models when a high statue role co-actor appeared with the target. (4) The target was rated as more intelligent and more knowledgeable of current events when he appeared with a low status co-actor in a private setting and a high status co-actor in a public setting. (5) Prejudice was negatively correlated with five of the six ratings of the target. When the co-actor was Caucasian, prejudiced subjects rated the meeting as more transitory and attributed a lower degree of friendship to the models. (6) The models were rated as more similar educationally, financially, and intellectually when a high status role co-actor appeared with the target. | |
