Appearance Counts for Women Male Opinion: Study Finds Breast Size Has Impact in Workplace.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tammy Joyner, Staff
March 17, 2001
Size does matter.
A researcher at the University of Central Florida in Orlando has found that women with breasts much smaller or larger
than a C-cup are viewed by men as less professional.
In the UCF study, men watched a video of a woman giving a speech on how to choose a career. The same woman gave the
same speech to different groups of men, each time wearing the same outfit. The only difference was that her breast size
was changed with each presentation. Women, on the other hand, were not at all influenced by breast size.
"Overall, the men viewed the woman fairly positively, but there was a significant drop in approval when she was an A or
D-cup," said the study's author, Stacey Tantleff-Dunn, a UCF assistant professor of psychology. "The message is, they
might see you slightly less favorably, but not your work. I don't think that should mean you should get a breast reduction or
dress differently. But awareness can help you deal with some of the biased views."
"We've become such a visual culture," Tantleff-Dunn said. "It just seems to me at this point in time we're going through a
level of superficiality and investment in looks and that's unhealthy for everyone."
Studies have shown that women vying for top management spots have a better chance of making it if they don't look or
act too feminine, Tantleff-Dunn said.
Tantleff-Dunn began in 1989 studying body image after years of what she says were inappropriate comments about her
appearance. She is 5 feet 4 inches and about 125 pounds. "I got the benefits of fitting into what seemed to be culturally
desirable. At the same time, I got criticism from people who thought I was too thin or not thin enough," she said. The
breast study is part of Tantleff-Dunn's ongoing research at UCF. One women's rights group called the findings
depressing.
"We do have a long way to go still," said Cindia Cameron, Atlanta-based organizing director for 9 to 5, National
Association of Working Women. "If this (study's findings) are true about bust size, imagine if you have a Southern accent
or you're from Asia or India or your skin color's different. We're still dealing with huge biases."
Cameron said the study underscores the enormous emphasis people in society and businesses place on looks.
"Employers can't always change people's attitudes, but they can reward and enforce good behavior by promoting and
encouraging people from different backgrounds," Cameron said.
A study last year by a Rice University psychologist found looks can affect ability to get a job or promotion. The study
found women are often singled out based on weight, height and beauty.
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