Model Looks, Motives, and Affective Outcomes

Abstract

Highly attractive models are intended to impact psychologically on message receivers and improve awareness, expectations, attitudes, beliefs, and advertising effectiveness; however, benefits accrue in only particular situations. This study examines how advertising triggers affect when comparison motive is paired with a particular model beauty type. Qualitative work preceded empirical study, which involved use of three types of model beauty (classic, sexual, and cute), two comparison motives (self-evaluation headline and self-improvement headline), and two product contexts (problem-solving and enhancement). Female university students (N = 1,170) were surveyed with findings indicating that viewers do react differently depending on the beauty type, with evidence of an interaction between beauty type and comparison motive.