Public Self-Consciousness and Physique Stereotyping

Abstract

Previous research in the body stereotyping literature employing personality trait ratings of endomorphs, mesomorphs, and ectomorphs had failed to find evidence of an interaction between rater personality and physique stereotyping. Using an individual difference construct that has direct relevance for the norms involved in body stereotyping, the present study found support for the role played by public self-consciousness in mediating college students' attributions of a variety of personality traits to endomorphs and mesomorphs. Consistent with predictions, subjects high in public self-consciousness attributed more favorable traits to mesomorphs and more unfavorable traits to endomorphs than subjects low in public self-consciousness. Differential personality evaluations of ectomorphs by subjects who varied in public self-consciousness were not found, possibly because the stereotype of ectomorphs is currently in transition.