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Embarrassing age spots or just plain ugly? Physical attractiveness stereotyping as an instrument of sexism on american television commercials

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Abstract

Frequencies of attractiveness-based messages were examined on 4,294 network television commercials. As expected, attractiveness statements appeared to be associated more with food and drink and personal care ads, and with female performers and with male voice-overs. Implications of an association of women and attractiveness on television are explored.

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An earlier version of this paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, March 1983.

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Downs, A.C., Harrison, S.K. Embarrassing age spots or just plain ugly? Physical attractiveness stereotyping as an instrument of sexism on american television commercials. Sex Roles 13, 9–19 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287457

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