Is Chivalry Affected by a Woman’s Attire? [Poster]

Abstract

The current study is designed to test the effect of a female’s appearance on chivalry. For purposes of this study chivalry will be defined in terms of a male holding the door open for a female target whose attire will either be comfortable, causal, or semi-formal. For the study the female confederates will approach ninety undergraduate males during class hours. The confederates will approach the males as they near the door of a university building and walk beside them toward the door. Observers will note whether or not the male opens the door for the female. The female confederates will be dressed in three different outfits. It is hypothesized that males will be more likely to open the door for a well dressed female than for a comfortably dressed female. Increased attentiveness to well dressed females will be tested via structured observation with intervention. Previous research has been conducted on behavior toward females based on appearance. These studies involved factors of dress as well as facial attractiveness. [Poster]