INSERT RUNNING HEAD HERE UNDER 50 CHARACTERS 1 12 Can women wearing

INSERT RUNNING HEAD HERE UNDER 50 CHARACTERS

1

12

Can women wearing traditional feminine clothing vs less feminine clothing effect their behavior, and would it be considered real

Hajo, A., & Galinsky, A.D., Hester, N., Hehman, E., Hillman, B. L., Johnson, K., Lennon, S. J., & Rudd, N.

Psyc 3002 and Dr.Scott Hinze

July 2nd, 2024

Abstract

This research shows the difference between traditional feminine clothing and less feminine clothing and its important societal suggestions. By choosing less feminine clothing it could lead to increased behaviors like being more confident, assertive, and a sense of empowerment. Whereas a woman who wears more traditional clothes is more restricted. As women have made progress in education, financial freedom, and social standing, they have challenged societal gender norms and expectations. By rejecting the traditional stereotypes of women, they can be themselves and be free from the constraints of what society puts on them and be their true selves.It explores the relationship between clothing and women’s behavior and self-perception, examining how the choice of clothing influences their social interactions and personal identity. It also points out how clothing has the power to transform and its ability to shape women’s outward appearance but also their inner self. It investigates how women’s clothing choices can significantly impact their social interactions and personal identity.

Can women wearing traditional feminine clothing vs less feminine clothing effect their behavior, and would it be considered real?

First impressions play an important role in shaping how we interact with others. Clothing is key in showing our identities, personality, and intentions. This is especially true for women, who have been historically using clothing as a way to express themselves and feel empowered. The difference between wearing more traditionally feminine clothing vs. less feminine clothing is important to society because it shows how women’s roles change in society. As women have gained more education, financial independence, and social status, they have challenged the traditional gender norms and expectations of others. Despite that, the question arises if wearing traditionally feminine clothing vs less feminine clothing influences a woman’s behavior and self-perception. The relationship between clothing and human behavior has been a topic of interest for researchers. Clothing can be used for various purposes like protection, modesty, and self-expression. For example, women who wear more traditional clothes tend to be more submissive and nurturing whereas women who wear less feminine. clothes may be seen as more assertive and independent.

The Literature Review

First impressions are perceived differently when women wear different types of clothing. In “Dress is a fundamental component of a person’s conception” they argue that clothing serves as a form of self-presentation that announces who we are and how we want to be viewed. This is true when it comes to women because women’s clothing choices are often subject to judgmental glances because they’re not following the “traditional clothing” norms. For women the clothes they wear can show their femininity, poise, and independence.  By choosing our own clothes we express our own style, worth and desires. In this study they describe first impressions as being “not straightforward” but it depends on where it takes place. They give an example of being in a professional setting and you are expected to wear formal clothing which may give you a positive impression. But they also say in a more casual gathering those clothes may be perceived as uptight or exclusive. They also explain how women who wear less feminine clothing are often judged as more independent and less likely to be faithful in marriage than those who wear more feminine clothing. They weigh on how women who wear more traditional clothing are often seen as more smart, pure, and capable whereas women with less feminine clothes are seen as less qualified because of what they wear. Which creates a barrier in the advancement of women’s clothing in a male dominated field where “traditional” gender roles win.

The influence of different clothing can change how others see each other in the article “Dress is a fundamental component of a person’s conception”. In this article it describes what the real meaning of clothing means and how people rely on it to give first impressions. In their research they desire clothing as a powerful expression of our identity. The clothes we choose to wear reflect our character, principles, and social relations. Through our clothing, we communicate who we are and how we want to be seen by others. They give an example of how women who wear bright and colorful clothing may be seen as extroverted and energetic, while women who wear more muted tones may be seen as introverted and studious. They describe that clothing is not born with us but rather socially constructed. Clothing styles and norms change generally across various cultures and time periods. What may be considered the “proper” attire in one circumstance may be unsuitable in another. This emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural context in which clothing is worn. To understand the roles of clothing from a person’s point of view (Freeman & Ambady, 2011) used a model called the “The Dynamic Interactive Model of Person Perception” which arranges a theoretical structure for understanding the role of clothing in a person’s perception. The model proposes that our impressions of others are formed through a dynamic interaction between different characteristics of their identity, their face, body, and Clothing. These characteristics are intertwined and influence each other by creating a complex and broad impression of others.

Research shows that wearing less feminine clothes may change how others perceive them than wearing more traditional clothes. In the article “Dress body and self: research in the social psychology of dress”:, their research has shown that the clothes women wear can influence the way others see their personality and behavior. One of the discoveries in the article is that wearing nontraditional clothing can lead others to perceive them as more appealing and desirable. In a study by Abbey et.al. (1987), participants were told to rate a model who was wearing non-traditional clothes as more sexually attractive which would make others less likely to stay loyal. This indicates that if women wore more traditional clothing they would be seen as nurturing and refined. Whereas a woman who wore less feminine clothing would be seen as more independent and “masculine” because they don’t follow the social norms. This research on the clothes women wear has affected their social perception and has been led by multiple theoretical approaches. The theory I got from this article was the “social role theory”, which focuses on the influence of social norms and expectations on behavior. It has also been used to understand how the clothes women wear can shape the perceptions of their femininity. It’s also important to note that the results of clothing on a social perception can change depending on beliefs and the connection of different identities. For example, the meaning and significance of less feminine clothing may differ across cultures, and the impact of wearing traditional clothing may be influenced by factors such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status.

A behavior called self-objection has been identified by objectification theory, and it seems to affect a person’s perceptions or impression. In the research study, “Dress, body, and Self: research in the Social Psychology of Dress,” they explore various stimuli of clothing and how it is perceived by others. Their research has shown that certain types of clothing can trigger a behavior of self-objectification in women. For instance, Damhorst and Hutton (2010) discovered that women who wear more feminine clothing tend to be more focused on their physical appearance and view themselves as objects to be judged by others. Dress choices are also influenced by social and cultural norms. Blonde and Grabe et,al . (2011) argues that being exposed to societal beauty standards can make people more dissatisfied with their appearance. They described that woman who were exposed to women who had more of a shape reported negative comments about their body. Another study in the article was the “mirror effect” which is that people who are exposed to mirrors tend to perform negatively on cognitive tasks. It’s a study done by Fredrick et al.(1998) he asked participants to complete a shopping task, where they entered a dressing room and tried on either a bulky sweater or a swimsuit. The women who wore swimsuits performed negatively on the math test than women wearing a sweater. The researchers found that the mirror effect led to the women self-objectifying themselves which in turn messed up their cognitive task. This study showed that because of what women wear it their behavior can negatively or positively affect how they do things in life. 

If women stopped trying to be “traditional”, would they reject their socially constructed gender roles? In the book “The Clothes I Wear Help Me to Know My Own Power”: The Politics of Gender Presentation in the Era of Women’s Liberation” explores the politics of gender demonstration and argues that the traditional feminine aesthetic reinforces societal expectations and limits women’s self-expression. This study talks about the idea that if women stopped trying to stick to traditional gender roles, they might reject the socially constructed gender roles that have been put on them. One of the main ways that women are put into traditional gender roles is through their clothing. The book says from a young age girl are taught that they should dress in a way that is considered “feminine,” which usually involves wearing skirts, dresses, and other items of clothing that focuses on the female body. This type of dress code strengthens the idea that women’s main use lies in their physical appearance and their ability to attract the attention of men. By sticking to these expectations, women continue to believe the idea that they are defined by their bodies and their relationships to men. However, the book says if women stopped trying to dress in a way that is considered “feminine”, they would be challenging the very footing of traditional gender roles. By wearing clothes that are comfortable and that reflect their own personal style, women can begin to break free from the constraints of societal expectations. Which can be a powerful act of self-expression that can help women to feel more confident and empowered. Furthermore, there are many ways that women are socialized into traditional roles. Like the way they are expected to act, the types of jobs they are told to have, and the roles they are expected to play in society. If women stopped trying to go along with those expectations, it would be challenging the structure of gender inequality. But women we do challenge those roles face criticism and judge t form others which may make it difficult for them to make careers for themselves. But on the other hand, there are benefits to not conforming. Women can express themselves without conforming experience, freedom, self determination, and individualism which can allow them to be more successful in their personal and professional lives. In addition to clothing, there are many other ways that women are socialized into traditional gender roles. These include the way they are expected to behave, the types of jobs they are encouraged to get.

The current book explores the way feminist and non-feminist who believed in styling themselves and rejecting other who think they should wear clothes only women should wear. The book “The Clothes I Wear Help Me to Know My Own Power”: “The Politics of Gender Presentation in the Era of Women’s Liberation” talks about the relationship between fashion, gender, and identity during the era of women’s liberation. It explores how women both feminists and non-feminist, use clothing as a form of self-expression, resistance, and empowerment

its., used clothing as a tool of self-expression, resistance, and empowerment. The liberation movement challenged the traditional notions of femininity and gender roles. Where women rejected the restrictive and absurd clothing consistently associated with women, like tight skirts, corsets, and high heels. Instead, they went for less feminine clothing that was more comfortable like pantsuits, overalls, and t-shirts. They did that to break free of the constraints that society imposed on them. Fashion became a powerful tool for empowerment for women. By choosing what they wanted to wear they expressed their individuality and went against societal expectation. Hillman describes how women used clothing to “create a sense of self that wasn’t dampened by male approval or validation”. For instance, some women wore “power suits” to show how confident and authoritative they are in their workplace. And others used clothing to make statements like wearing shirts with feminists’ slogans for protesting wars. The book is a reminder of how fashion can be a powerful tool for embracing the clothes that make women feel comfortable even if they’re not “traditional”

The Current Study

After going through each article, the question of if women wearing traditionally feminine clothing vs less feminine clothing affect their behavior and would that make them more masculine or more feminine and would they feel like they’re in “gender roles” and would this be considered real. My hypothesis is that wearing less feminine clothes would make women behave more positive because they are not restricted to what people would call “women’s” clothes or traditional clothes they could wear what they want and be comfortable instead of conforming to traditional norms where they wear what society thinks they should. I expect to find out the different behaviors that women exhibit when I ask about their clothing choices. To test this, I would need to recruit those from my church who wear both traditional and less feminine clothing. Each group will take their cognitive tests separately in their own groups to prevent them from saying their reasons on why they wear what they wear so no one is biased. Therefore, this introduction goes into the Method section of the research.

Method

For this method I recruited 30 black female participants between 50-60 who usually wear more traditional feminine clothing like big hats with flowers or bows on them and southern flower printed dresses, and high heels to church and 20 black female participants who wear less feminine clothing like jumpsuits, watches, sunglasses, and flat shoes to church. The age difference was deliberate, as I wanted to explore how different age groups factors might impact one’s choice of clothing. I asked the participants about how they view gender roles and relationship norms. And if they felt more comfortable in more traditional clothing or less traditional clothing. They were given a cognitive test to measure the IV which is their clothing choices and the DV which is their cognitive functioning and decision-making processes. This research was limited to female participants only, because I wanted to focus on the unique experiences and perceptions of clothing from their perspectives.

Participants

The participants are 30 black females between 50-60 who usually wear more traditional feminine clothing like big hats with flowers or bows on them and southern flower printed dresses, and high heels to church and 20 black female participants who wear less feminine clothing like jumpsuits, watches, sunglasses, and flat shoes to church.

Materials

The items I used for clothing I chose two outfits to give to the groups. The first item of clothing I chose was a traditional outfit that came from the first groups of ages between 50-60 which consisted of A big what ate and white dress with floral imprints and a big purse to match and low heels and for the second item I asked a participant to bring in a less feminine outfit like a pant suit with a blazer and flat sandals and a small purse with glasses.

Subheading for Materials 1 (replace with an informative name)

The first material i used was a social function scale test. I used this to measure how participants interacted with the environment they were in and to see how they were able too accomplish fitting into their social roles. The stimuli that were presented was clothing.

Subheading for Materials 2 (replace with an informative name)

The second material I used was cognitive therapy competence scale for social phobia test which I used to measure how to measure their already predisposed assumptions each other’s clothes

Procedure

After consenting to participate i separated the participants into two groups the prefer traditional feminine clothing and less feminine clothing. I will then give them 2 items: Outfit 1 and Outfit 2. The first group will get Outfit 2 which is the less feminine clothing, and the first group will get Outfit 1 the traditional feminine clothing. Next, I will hand out the materials. I handed each group a social function scale test to measure how they interacted in their environment and how they were able to accomplish fitting into social norms. After they finished that i gave them their second scale of cognitive therapy 

The first thing i did was separate the groups away from each other. I did this sop no one would be biased or change anyone else mind about how they feel. I gave the first group the less feminine clothing and the second group the traditional clothing i let that sit then i gave them the social function scale test and let them answers questions after they finished i told them to tell me what they thought about the clothes in front of them because of their

Design

The design I chose was an observation research study to investigate the relationship between their clothing choices and cognitive functions and behaviors

The present study employed an observational research design to investigate the relationship between clothing choice and cognitive functioning.  In this case, the independent variable (clothing choice) was not controlled by me but was observed and recorded as it occurred naturally. The dependent variable, cognitive functioning was measured using a scale tool that examined various cognitive abilities including, attention, memory, and problem solving.

Results and Discussion

The results were that there were huge differences in cognitive functioning between the two groups. The participants who wore more traditional feminine clothing scored higher on tests that measured for attention to detail and a working memory, but they failed at creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Whereas the participants who wore less feminine clothing scored higher on creative thinking a problem-solving skill but failed at attention to detail and a working memory. These findings suggest that their clothing choices may have some underlying cognitive tendencies. Basically, saying that the participants who wore more traditional feminine clothing may be more detail oriented and methodical in their thinking, whereas those who wore less feminine clothing may be more ingenious and adaptable. My research highlighted the importance of examining a unvaried aspect of everyday life, like clothing choices, to gain insights into a broader social and psychological occurrence. And it also highlighted the difference between those who wear traditional feminine clothing or less feminine clothing may associate with their age or their environment. I consider this to be real because not only did they have two different clothing choices it all came down to what they preferred.

References

Hajo, A., & Galinsky, A.D. (2012). Enclothed cognition. Journal of Experimental Social

Psychology, 48, 918-925. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2012.02.008

Hester, N., Hehman, E. (2023). Dress is a fundamental component of person

perception. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 27, 414-433.

https://doi.org/10.1177/10888683231157961

Hillman, B. L. (2013). “The Clothes I Wear Help Me to Know My Own Power”: The Politics of

Gender Presentation in the Era of Women’s Liberation. Frontiers: A Journal of Women

Studies, 34, 155-185. https://doi.org/10.520/fronjwomestud.34.2.0155

Johnson, K., Lennon, S. J., & Rudd, N. (2014). Dress, body and self: Research in the social

psychology of dress. Fashion and textiles, 1, 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40691-014-0020-7

Appendix A

https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/cognitive-therapy-competence-scale-for-social-phobia/

https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/cognitive-therapy-competence-scale-for-social-phobia/