Doctoral Dissertation Research in Political Science: The Effects of Appearance on Information Search and Evaluation

该项目旨在确定基于外表的第一印象如何影响随后的政治学习和决策。现有的研究发现，外貌分析，或基于他或她的外表对某人的能力，性格或个性特征的假设，是常用的“信息捷径”，用于简化决策过程。现有研究的证据表明，在候选人评估中使用线索是常见的。然而，目前尚不清楚的是，在最初的印象和最终的决定之间会发生什么。基于外表的特质推断是在过程的早期进行的一次性评估，但现代运动持续数月，个人获得广泛的信息。早期感知与个人后来选择学习并纳入其评估和决策的信息类型和数量之间的关系是什么？这项研究将是第一个考虑外观如何影响学习和信息搜索的过程在一个较长的视野。为了实现其目标，该项目将使用动态过程跟踪环境（DTPE）进行一系列的三个实验，DTPE是一种基于网络的计算机程序，允许研究人员模拟信息的持续流动，从而跟踪受试者访问的信息的内容，顺序和数量。因此，DTPE提供了一个独特的机会来检查整个过程-从第一次接触，直到她最终被要求作出选择。本研究中的三个实验要求受试者参加模拟竞选活动，他们必须收集有关模拟候选人的信息。候选人外观的不同方面是系统地变化的，分析将探讨这些操作对外观之间的关系的影响，受试者搜索的信息，受试者的最终评价，和受试者的最终选择。本研究将探讨基于种族和性别的刻板印象，以及基于对某人面部特征的“快速判断”的能力等特征的感知，相互作用以影响整体评价的方式。该项目还做出了更广泛的贡献。选举进程是任何民主的核心。随着美国社会变得越来越多样化，我们越来越需要了解基于外表的暗示的含义。

This project seeks to determine how first impressions based on physical appearance influence subsequent political learning and decision-making. Extant research has found that appearance heuristics, or assumptions about someone's abilities, character or personality traits based on his or her appearance, are commonly used "information shortcuts" employed to simplify the process of making a decision. Evidence from existing studies suggests that the use of cues in candidate evaluation is common. What remains unclear, however, is what happens between initial impressions and final decisions. Appearance-based trait inferences are one-time appraisals often made early in the process, but modern campaigns last for months and individuals receive extensive information. What is the relationship between early perceptions and the type and amount of information that individuals later choose to learn and incorporate into their evaluations and decisions? This study will be the first to consider how aappearance influences the process of learning and information search over a longer horizon. To achieve its goal, the project will conduct a series of three experiments using the Dynamic Process Tracing Environment (DTPE), a web-based computer program that allows researchers to mimic the constant flow of information and thus to track the content, sequence and amount of information accessed by subjects. As such, DTPE provides a unique opportunity to examine the entire process--from first exposure until she is eventually asked to make a choice. The three experiments in this study ask subjects to participate in simulated campaigns in which they must gather information about mock candidates. Different aspects of candidate appearance are systematically varied, and analyses will explore the effects of these manipulations on the relationship between appearance, the information that subjects search for, a subject's ultimate evaluations, and a subject's final choice. This study will address the ways in which stereotypes based on race and gender, and perceptions of traits like competence based on "snap judgments" of someone's facial features, interact to influence overall evaluations. This project also makes broader contributions. The electoral process is central to any democracy. As American society becomes increasingly diverse, it is increasingly important that we understand the implications of cues based on physical appearance.