INFLUENCE OF A MALE EARLOBE PIERCING ON JUDGMENT OF SOCIO-PROFESSIONAL GROUP MEMBERSHIP ATTRIBUTION

Autores

  • Céline Jacob Professor, Dr., Université Bretagne Sud, Vannes, France
  • Nicolas Guéguen Professor, Dr., Université Bretagne Sud, Vannes, France
  • Nikolaz Le Vaillant Associate Professor, Dr., Université Bretagne Sud, Vannes, France
  • Fabien Silone Lecturer, Dr., Université Bretagne Sud, Vannes, France

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejhrms.v10i3.2330

Palavras-chave:

piercing, judgment, socio-professional group, stereotype / piercing, jugement, groupe socioprofessionnel, stéréotype

Resumo

Several studies have indicated that men photographed wearing earlobe piercings were perceived negatively. This study, conducted in France, tried to replicate this finding using a forced-choice situation. Participants aged 20 to 50 viewed a photograph of a male target wearing or not wearing an earlobe piercing and were instructed to estimate the target’s socio-professional group using a well-known group list. Findings showed that the target with an earlobe piercing was more frequently associated with a low socio-professional group rather than with a high socio-professional group. These results confirmed that a common cue of facial appearance was sufficient to activate stereotypes of social group membership.

 

Plusieurs études ont montré que les hommes photographiés avec un piercing au lobe de l’oreille étaient perçus négativement. Cette étude, menée en France, a cherché à reproduire ce résultat à l’aide d’une situation de choix forcé. Des participants âgés de 20 à 50 ans ont observé la photo d’un homme portant ou non un piercing au lobe de l’oreille et ont été invités à estimer le groupe socioprofessionnel de cette personne à l’aide d’une liste de groupes bien connue. Les résultats ont montré que le sujet portant un piercing au lobe de l’oreille était plus fréquemment associé à un groupe socioprofessionnel bas qu’à un groupe socioprofessionnel élevé. Ces résultats ont confirmé qu’un indice courant lié à l’apparence faciale suffisait à activer des stéréotypes d’appartenance à un groupe social.

Biografia do Autor

  • Céline Jacob, Professor, Dr., Université Bretagne Sud, Vannes, France

    Dr. Céline Jacob (PhD) is full professor in marketing at the University of Southern Brittany, France. Her research focuses on consumer behavior and social influences on eating habits.

  • Nicolas Guéguen, Professor, Dr., Université Bretagne Sud, Vannes, France

    Dr. Nicolas Guéguen (PhD) is full professor in behavioral sciences at the University of Southern Brittany, France. His research focuses on the study of influence and manipulation processes in human behavior.

  • Nikolaz Le Vaillant, Associate Professor, Dr., Université Bretagne Sud, Vannes, France

    Dr. Nikolaz Le Vaillant (PhD) is an associate-professor in human resources management at the University of Southern Brittany, France. His research focuses on health and well-being at work.

  • Fabien Silone, Lecturer, Dr., Université Bretagne Sud, Vannes, France

    Dr. Fabien Silone (PhD) is a lecturer in social and organizational psychology at the University of Southern Brittany, France. His research focuses on organizational change and well-being at work.

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Publicado

2026-10-21

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