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The Halo Effect Revisited: Unpacking the Influence of Attractiveness on Trustworthiness

Doniaeeziba, Ramona LU and Falkström, August LU (2025) PSYK12 20242
Department of Psychology
Abstract
The current study investigated the halo effect and its connection to trustworthiness by examining whether perceived physical attractiveness affects perceived trustworthiness. Two hypotheses were proposed, one regarding how individuals perceived as more physically attractive are also perceived as more trustworthy and one regarding whether perceived physical attractiveness has a greater positive impact on perceived trustworthiness in combination with positive reviews as compared to negative ones. 129 individuals rated the perceived trustworthiness of two randomly assigned writers of restaurant reviews, including images of the writer's faces. The results revealed main effects of both perceived physical attractiveness and review valence on... (More)
The current study investigated the halo effect and its connection to trustworthiness by examining whether perceived physical attractiveness affects perceived trustworthiness. Two hypotheses were proposed, one regarding how individuals perceived as more physically attractive are also perceived as more trustworthy and one regarding whether perceived physical attractiveness has a greater positive impact on perceived trustworthiness in combination with positive reviews as compared to negative ones. 129 individuals rated the perceived trustworthiness of two randomly assigned writers of restaurant reviews, including images of the writer's faces. The results revealed main effects of both perceived physical attractiveness and review valence on perceived trustworthiness. However, there was no significant interaction between the two variables, meaning that the halo effect was not affected by review valence. Although further research is necessary, this study serves as an important addition to the overarching research of the phenomenon of the halo effect. (Less)
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author
Doniaeeziba, Ramona LU and Falkström, August LU
supervisor
organization
course
PSYK12 20242
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
halo effect, trustworthiness, physical attractiveness, consumer behavior, review valence
language
English
id
9182335
date added to LUP
2025-01-27 09:01:31
date last changed
2025-01-27 09:04:15
@misc{9182335,
  abstract     = {{The current study investigated the halo effect and its connection to trustworthiness by examining whether perceived physical attractiveness affects perceived trustworthiness. Two hypotheses were proposed, one regarding how individuals perceived as more physically attractive are also perceived as more trustworthy and one regarding whether perceived physical attractiveness has a greater positive impact on perceived trustworthiness in combination with positive reviews as compared to negative ones. 129 individuals rated the perceived trustworthiness of two randomly assigned writers of restaurant reviews, including images of the writer's faces. The results revealed main effects of both perceived physical attractiveness and review valence on perceived trustworthiness. However, there was no significant interaction between the two variables, meaning that the halo effect was not affected by review valence. Although further research is necessary, this study serves as an important addition to the overarching research of the phenomenon of the halo effect.}},
  author       = {{Doniaeeziba, Ramona and Falkström, August}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Halo Effect Revisited: Unpacking the Influence of Attractiveness on Trustworthiness}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}