Male and female students (N = 114) in introductory psychology rated pictures of bearded and nonbearded men on characteristics associated with masculinity. Bearded men were rated significantly higher on masculinity, aggressiveness, dominance, and strength. The results are discussed in light of apparently contradictory evidence which suggests that bearded men are seen as less desirable than nonbearded men.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
FeinmanS.GillG. W. (1977) Females' response to males' beardedness. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 44, 533–534.
2.
FreedmanD. (1969) The survival value of the beard. Psychology Today, 3(10), 36–39.
3.
KennyC. T.FletcherD. (1973) Effects of beardedness on person perception. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 37, 413–414.
4.
PancerS. M.MeindlJ. R. (1978) Length of hair and beardedness as determinants of personality impressions. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 46, 1328–1330.
5.
PellegriniR. J. (1973) Impressions of the male personality as a function of beardedness. Psychology, 10, 29–33.
6.
WoodD. R. (1986) Self-perceived masculinity between bearded and nonbearded males. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 62, 769–770.
