A Web Replication of Snyder, Decker and Bercheid (1977)'s Experiment on the Self-Fulfilling Nature of Social Stereotypes

Abstract

Expectations often result in actions that elicit expectancy-confirming behaviors. Research indicates that the different, and almost always more positive, personality characteristics are attributed to attractive, as compared with unattractive individuals (for reviews see Eagly, Ashmore, Makhijani & Longo, 1991) and Lamglois et al, 2000). In a classic demonstration of this phenomenon, Snyder, Decker-Tanke, and Berscheid (1977) had male participants engage in a telephone conversation with a female confederate. When the participants believed that the confederate was an attractive woman they behaved in a more friendly, likeable, and sociable manner than they did when they believed the confederate was unattractive.

Based on the results of Synder et al. (1977) and Walther, Slovacek, and Tidwell, 2001), we hypothesized that an attractive photo accompanying a woman's personal advertisement on an internet dating site would produce greater involvement from male respondents and increase the likelihood that their communication would elicit a reply from the woman.

Keywords: Social interaction, behavior, Internet

JEL Classification: C91, D84, M30