Conceptualization and Development of the Appearance Perfectionism Scale: Preliminary Evidence for Validity and Utility in a College Student Population
Year: 2009
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Previous research has implicated the importance of perfectionism when evaluating ones appearance.Yet, no measure of appearance has included perfectionism as part of its model.The purpose of the present research was to conceptualize and develop a scale of appearance perfectionism.In Study 1, we developed a measure of appearance perfectionism-the Appearance Perfectionism Scale (APPS).Exploratory factor analyses demonstrated high reliability of APPS as a unidimensional construct.In Study 2, we sought to examine the construct validity of APPS.Additionally, we sought to determine the usefulness of the APPS over a global measure of perfectionism, the multidimensional perfectionism scale.Cross-sectional results demonstrated the construct validity of APPS.Overall, the present research supports the use of a measure of appearance perfectionism over a global measure of perfectionism.Appearance Perfectionism 3 Conceptualization and Development of the Appearance Perfectionism Scale: Preliminary Evidence for Validity and Utility in a College Student Population Appearance has been, and continues to be a key way in which we understand ourselves and the way others understand us (Greenleaf, Starks, Gomez, Chamliss, & Martin, 2004;Hildebrandt & Walker, 2006).For this reason it has received much attention from researchers in the past few decades.Specifically, researchers have been interested in how our physical aesthetics, bodily attributes, and somatic self-perceptions affect our lives (Cash, 1990).Physical appearance is a valued trait since it is frequently the most readily available source of information about a person (Berscheid & Walster, 1974).For example, physical appearance can convey a person's basic information, including age, gender, and race, to a complete stranger.Accordingly, physical appearance is often a key source of influence on the opinions that others form of us. Research on Appearance"What is beautiful is good, " Dion, Berscheid, and Walster, 1972 Physical appearance is often evaluated on the basis of attractiveness.Determinants of attractiveness include physical appearance traits such as attire, hair color, facial expression, posture, makeup, and weight (Mehrabian & Blum, 2003;Wilson, Tripp, & Boland, 2005).A more attractive appearance is generally considered to be a better appearance and is also believed to result in more positive outcomes.In an early study on attractive appearances, Dion, Berscheid, and Walster (1972) demonstrated how attractiveness influenced opinions that people formed about others.Specifically, they found that males and females with more attractive physical appearances were viewed as
Author: Kavita Srivastava
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4833724