The effects of peer information on perceptions of physical attractiveness, social desirability, resourcefulness and sexual promiscuity

The present study examined how men and women evaluated members of the opposite sex, based on peer information. Ratins were measured on attractiveness, social desirability, resourcefulness and sexual promiscuity. A total of 124 participants (N=62 women; N=62 men) from Algoma University College were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: information that the target was highly resourceful and highly permissive; low in resourcefulness and low in permissiveness; no information provided. Participants also rated how likely they would be to engage in having sex with the target, dating the target or marrying the target. In addition, participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire concerning their past or current sexual attitudes and behaviour. There was no difference found between men and women's ratings of attractiveness. Men that were low in resourcefulness and low in permissiveness were rated as more socially desirable than men who were high resourceful and highly permissive. Men who had no information concerning subject rated them more socially desirable than those who had information about them. Measures of sexual attitudes and behaviors of the participants revealed that men were more unrestricted in their sexual practices than women. When compared, men were more likely to engage in sex, to date and to marry the target than women.