The Relationships Between Skin Color and Self-Perceived Global, Physical, and Sexual Attractiveness, and Self-Esteem for African Americans

Abstract

Skin color in relation to self-esteem and self-perceived physical, sexual, and global attractiveness was examinedfor a sample of9J African Americans. Based on marketplace theory and prior research, interactions of sex and skin tone were hypothesized. Fair-skinnedfemales were expected to have higherself-esteem and self-ratings of attractiveness than dark-skinned females. Dark-skinned males' ratings were expected to be higher or not different from those of fair-skinned males. Results obtainedpartially supported the hypotheses. Dark-skinned males' self-ratings of sexual attractiveness were higher, whereasfemales'ratings did not difer No significant effects occurred for other types of attractiveness or selfesteem. Results are discussed in terms of marketplace theory, stereotyping, and the exclusion of males from measures/changes designed to address skin-color biases in the Black community and society.