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Beauty and Impression Formation: Implications for Business Communication

Beauty and Impression Formation: Implications for Business Communication. Warren C. Weber Management and Human Resources Department California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. What is Beautiful?. What is reinforcing is beautiful What makes us want to look again. . .

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Beauty and Impression Formation: Implications for Business Communication

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  1. Beauty and Impression Formation:Implications for Business Communication Warren C. Weber Management and Human Resources Department California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

  2. What is Beautiful? What is reinforcing is beautiful What makes us want to look again. . . Art—Matisse? Picasso? Do they reinforce your behavior? There are societal differences e. g., Ubangis consider large lips beautiful but. . . there is a universal, common thread of what is considered beautiful in all societies. While beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, beholders view beauty similarly. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” Keats

  3. Beauty in the Bible • The Lord said to Samuel: • Look not on his countenance, nor on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him, nor do I judge according to the look of the man; for man seeth those things that appear, but the Lord beholdeth the heart. • But, regarding David, Samuel said to Isai: • Send, and fetch him, for we will not sit down till he come hither. He sent therefore and brought him. Now he was ruddy and beautiful to behold, and of a comely face. And the Lord said: Arise, and anoint him, for this is he. • Was David chosen because of his beauty (over seven brothers) though the Lord just said he did not judge according to the look of the man?

  4. A Few Facts about Beauty • Small children agree as what who is good looking and who is not. It is not just a learned behavior. • In a recent survey of teenagers by React magazine: • 41 percent of teenagers said, they would rather be good looking than rich or smart • 23 percent chose wealth • 18 percent chose being smart • 18 percent chose being nice • Obese, homely, or disfigured people are often deemed to have characteristics which reduce their worth to the organization or society

  5. Beauty and Success • “Beautiful” people are: • shown recognition sooner • hired more quickly • earn higher average salaries • progress on the job to a greater extent than those considered to be less attractive. • Getting old and losing hair has a negative impact on social impression formation, giving rise to the growth of plastic surgery and hair transplants just to compete in today’s world. • Beauty is not distributed in a normal distribution (bell curve). • Dole vs. Clinton—How much did age, looks, and body language influence votes?

  6. Legal Implications • Civil Rights Act of 1967 (Title VII) • employers may not enforce separate codes of personal appearance requirements if it stems from sexual discrimination • Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 • protects against discrimination due to disabling physical appearance • Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) • Are weight and poor looks disabilities? • Are managers basing their interview or promotion decisions on job performance or beautyism? • Some studies show that to be true • Employment Practices • hiring • interviews • promotions • promoting the corporation as a place to work

  7. Impression Management The self-presentational approach of individuals and organizations Basically means. . . “Putting Best Foot Forward”

  8. Impression Management—Individuals • Looks is important and we can’t readily change our looks • But, we can work on what we’re born with by means of . . . • dress • grooming and makeup • resumes, cover letters • interview and presentation skills • nonverbal (e. g., smile deemed more attractive) • plastic surgery

  9. Impression Management—Corporate Corporations (an artificial being) must consider appearance in many respects. . . • Corporate identity, image, public relations • logos, signs, letters, reports, and presentations • Managing individuals’ actions (some may want to appear bad to avoid work, etc.) and specific images of self • Managerial control techniques and surveillance systems • Dramaturgy (All the world’s a stage. . .) • become more intelligent directors of performances and reviewers of other players • Employment practices and assessments • Media interviews

  10. Recommendations • Be aware of these beauty and appearance issues and their impact on the individual and the corporation • Teach— • nonverbal and interpersonal skills • dress and appearance • interviewing, including legal factors • how to prepare well-designed corporate communications • design and corporate identity principles • handling media interviews

  11. A Tip Toward Being Beautiful-- • Choose Good-Looking Parents

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