Judgments of women wearing eyeglasses: a focus on specific dimensions of physical attractiveness

Abstract

Several studies have examined how our judgment of another’s physical attractiveness is affected when the other person is wearing eyeglasses. The present study identified various factors related to physical attractiveness and examined the eyeglasses effect for each of these factors. In the study, male and female participants viewed two photographs of the same woman’s body profile. In one photograph, the woman wore eyeglasses; in the other, she did not. Participants were asked to select one of the photographs based on various dimensions of physical attractiveness. Results showed that the woman wearing no eyeglasses was judged to be prettier and better-looking, and that her photograph would be preferred by others and be preferable for inclusion in an album. On the other hand, the woman wearing eyeglasses was judged to be more elegant. These findings support the assumption that the eyeglasses effect differs for different dimensions of physical attractiveness.