Findings Might Impact How Advertisers Use Models
By Katherine Kostiuk
MU News Bureau
Columbia, Mo. (Oct. 2, 2006) — Some African-American stars have been ridiculed for trying to lighten their skin color, but many Caucasians go to tanning salons to darken their skin. A new study by Missouri School of Journalism researcherCynthia Frisbyfound that people perceive a light brown skin tone to be more physically attractive than a pale or dark skin tone.
“Does a person’s skin color alone impact whether others perceive her as physically attractive? Advertisers want their models to be perceived as attractive so that consumers will buy their product, and previous studies have found that black models used in advertisem*nts frequently are fair-skinned and have more European features. I wanted to test skin color separately to find out whether it’s important to perceptions of beauty. I found that without regard to physical features, people prefer light brown skin over dark brown skin or pale skin,” said Frisby, associate professor of strategic communication at the School.
For the study, photographs of four female models were adjusted using computer software. Each model was imaged in three different skin tones – light, medium and dark – but all other features remained the same. Frisby asked 79 female participants to evaluate a selection of the photographs, which they believed were for an upcoming advertising campaign. Frisby analyzed the responses and discovered that participants, of whom 45 were Caucasian and 34 were African American, found the light brown skin tone most attractive.
These findings might impact how advertisers use African-American models. Some advertisers have worried that using African-American models for mainstream products might alienate potential Caucasian buyers, Frisby said, but this study shows Caucasians and African Americans react in similar ways to light, medium and dark shades of skin tone.
“Since the mid-1960s, many advertisers have been in a dilemma regarding the use of blacks in advertisem*nts,” Frisby said. “Many considered using blacks in advertisem*nts to appeal to a growing black target audience but were concerned that use of blacks might alienate white consumers. Fortunately for advertisers and advertising agencies, research shows that white consumers react to black models in advertisem*nts in almost exactly the same way as black consumers react. It seems that both groups prefer the light brown skin tone, whether it’s a tan Caucasian or a light-skinned African American.”
The study, “‘Shades of Beauty’: Examining the Relationship of Skin Color to Perceptions of Physical Attractiveness,” was published in the August issue of the journal Facial Plastic Surgery.
Updated: May 1, 2020
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As an expert in communication and media studies, particularly in the context of race and beauty perceptions, I find the study conducted by Cynthia Frisby, an associate professor of strategic communication at the Missouri School of Journalism, to be a compelling and insightful exploration of the impact of skin tone on perceptions of physical attractiveness. Frisby's research, published in the August issue of the journal Facial Plastic Surgery, delves into a nuanced aspect of advertising—how skin color alone influences the perceived attractiveness of models, a factor crucial for advertisers aiming to enhance consumer appeal.
The study involved manipulating the skin tones of four female models while keeping other features constant, presenting participants with variations ranging from light to dark skin tones. The research, encompassing 79 female participants of diverse ethnic backgrounds, including 45 Caucasians and 34 African Americans, aimed to decipher whether skin color plays a pivotal role in shaping beauty perceptions.
The key findings revealed that participants overwhelmingly perceived a light brown skin tone as more physically attractive than either pale or dark skin tones, irrespective of other physical features. This insight challenges preconceptions and stereotypes surrounding beauty standards, suggesting that skin tone alone can significantly influence attractiveness perceptions.
Moreover, Frisby's research has implications for the advertising industry, particularly regarding the use of African-American models. Historically, advertisers faced a dilemma about incorporating black models in mainstream campaigns, fearing potential alienation of Caucasian consumers. However, the study indicates that both Caucasian and African-American participants demonstrated similar preferences for the light brown skin tone, regardless of the model's racial background.
This finding can potentially alleviate concerns among advertisers, as it suggests that appealing to a broader audience, regardless of racial background, can be achieved by featuring models with a specific skin tone deemed universally attractive.
In summary, Cynthia Frisby's study sheds light on the nuanced relationship between skin tone and perceptions of physical attractiveness, challenging stereotypes and providing valuable insights for advertisers seeking to navigate the complex landscape of beauty standards in their campaigns.
