Effect of Clothing on the Use of Person Information Categories in First Impressions

Abstract

The present study investigated the relative strength of perceiver and target person variables on person information categories used in first impressions. Descriptions of four target persons written by fifty-two females were content analyzed according to person information categories. Comparisons were made in amount of overlap in categories used when one perceiver described two target persons (1 on 2) dressed to convey either similar or different professional images, when two perceivers described the same target person (2 on 1) dressed to convey either similar or different professional images, and when two perceivers described two different target persons (2 on 2) dressed to convey either similar or different professional images. No differences in category usage were found for 1 on 2, 2 on 1, and 2 on 2 descriptions. Data were re-analyzed for valence (positive or negative tone) of the overall descriptions. As with category usage, agreement on valence of descriptions was similar for I on 2, 2 on 1, and 2 on 2. Results are discussed in terms of social perception research and methods used by researchers investigating person perceptions.