Weight-Based Discrimination in Occupational Hiring and Helping Behavior

Authors: Swami, Viren1; Chan, Flora2; Wong, Vivien2; Furnham, Adrian2; Tovée, MartinJ.3

Source: Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Volume 38, Number 4, April 2008 , pp. 968-981(14)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

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Abstract:

This study explored weight-based discrimination using a range of weight categories, as represented by images of real women with known body mass index (BMI). In the first study, 30 men rated each image according to likelihood of occupational hiring for a managerial post. In the second study, 28 men rated the same images for likelihood of helping behavior following a minor accident. Study results showed that individuals with a slender body weight (BMI = 19-20) were most likely to be hired and helped, while obese (BMI > 30) participants were least likely to be hired and helped. However, results also showed that emaciated (BMI < 15) individuals were likely to be discriminated against. Implications for real-life settings are discussed.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2008.00334.x

Affiliations: 1: University of WestminsterLondon, Great Britain 2: University College LondonLondon, Great Britain 3: University of NewcastleNewcastle, Great Britain

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