Does Clothing Have an Impact on Social Interactions:
An Observational Study in the Classroom
There are many reasons why we choose to wear a particular article or style of clothing. Many of us consider our choice in clothing as an extension of our identity. While many others pick items from their wardrobe that reflect their current mood. There are also many times when we choose to dress a certain way in anticipation of being in a particular social setting. Even people who don’t seem to bother with matching clothes or wearing a designer label or walk around wearing clothes that are torn and dirty, are making a statement. What remains to be examined is whether or not there is a clear relationship between the clothing we wear and our social interactions.
The implications of such a relationship could lend itself to a variety of benefits. Imagine knowing that if you are dressed a particular way; you are more likely to get better service in a restaurant. We already know that when showing up for a job interview, there is certain dress attire that will make you more likely to get the job. Why do you think that when you’re single and going out, you tend to spend more time getting ready and dressed up? The answer is because we associate first impressions and attraction to our physical appearances.
A variety of studies using empirical reasoning in many different settings, have tried to establish a relationship between the two. Pamela Regan of California State University, Los Angeles was cited in the Washington Post as saying “First, people need to dress appropriately – if you want to be treated well, then dress the part,” after she concluded an observational study of shoppers, the service they received and the way they were dressed. Published in the Psychological Reports, 2002 her study titled “Customer Service As A Function of Shopper’s Attire’” revealed that upon entering a store, it took more than 20 seconds longer for an employee to approach a shopper dressed in gym clothes, as opposed to one dressed as if she were on her way to work. She concluded, “Clothing, like other aspects of appearance, seems to exert at least some influence on how we are perceived and treated by others,” (204).
For our particular study, we w...
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...larger group and perhaps in more diverse settings. It is clear that clothing does have an impact on social interactions however if I were to redo this study with a similar set-up I would also want to add a survey element to the treatment. Perhaps self-perceptions on dress have more of an impact on whether or not a student participates. This survey would examine how the student feels about their dress. It is possible that a student wearing $200 designer jeans and a shirt would consider themselves dressed up and participate more. However, because according to my own definitions this student would be dressed down it would hinder my results.
Establishing a significant relationship between dress and participation in class could be useful to many people. Pamela Regan’s study has convinced me that if I want better service, I should dress up when I go shopping. If this study were to reveal a significant enough relationship, then students can reconsider how they dress for class as it may help their participation grade.
References
Regan, P. C., & Llamas V. (2002). Customer service as a function of shopper’s attire. Psychological Reports, 90, 203-204.
Schools are trying hard to keep the negative advertising such as drugs and alcohol off of students clothing so others are not pressured into something without even realizing it. This paper’s purpose is to discuss the positive impact, of dress code have in schools.
Pytel, Babara. "How students dress affects attitude." Suit101.com. 12 Sept. 2006. Barbara Pytel. 11 May 2010.
J.) Guydish, Mark. "Effects of Uniforms at Issue: People on Both Sides of the School Dress Code Debate Offer Research to Support Their Claims." Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 4 Apr. 2011.
One of the most controversial topics revolving around schooling is the weather students should or should not wear uniforms to improve academic and social behavior. Many sources say that school uniforms improve discipline, attendance, lower criminal activity, and increase academic achievement in students; Furthermore, this is due to less distraction and conforming to the idea that uniforms makes you smarter. This false ideology that is expected from school uniforms has not been proven in any way to work and is more of a waste of the tax-payers money than an improvement. There are more outlying factors that contribute to success or failure than just uniforms and pro-advocates do not get this big picture. The most outspoken reasons why to use
In recent years, a controversial debate has erupted in the public school front. The questions stand whether or not high students should be required to follow a dress code or wear uniforms. Many opinions on this subject include a student’s right to freedom of expression and if a dress code is another form of sexism against women. Through the controversy a single factor plays a huge part; teenage students are in school to gain an education and become successful adults. Every high school should implement a uniform dress code because it minimizes distractions, promotes group culture among students, and teaches students professionalism for a future workplace.
The clothing of students may seem like a petty point to make concerning the education of the next generation of leaders and the working force. If one has recently driven past a high school one will notice some of the popular trends students are choosing to wear. Many students look like walking advertisements for high end retail brands. Young men wear shirts and pants excessively large which clearly expose their underwear. Some ladies seem to choose the opposite in which less is more. Short shorts or skirts paired with skimpy, tight tops leave a distasteful impression of themselves on others. While not every student may succumb to these styles, the majority of students fall prey to this peer pressure of indecent trends.
Clothing is the essence of the image that a person projects outward. Clothing is an important factor in the first impression of every single moment. In the film Edward Scissorhands, Peg, is a woman who found Edward at the beginning of the film, got scared due to the first impression that Edward projected with his black clothes (Edward Scissorhands). In today’s society, the way people dress is also very important when looking for a job. Attending an interview dressed with the appropriated clothes will help the candidate in a positive way. The managers will always look for the most professional look. Judith Rasband states in her article “Power of Personal Appearance” “Your appearance makes a strong statement about your personality, values, attitudes, interests, knowledge, abilities, roles, and goals” (Rasband). Being and dressing like a professional is the key to success because it will make the person the perfect candidate for the
Students use the way they dress as a way to express themselves. Many students argue that they lose their identity when they lose their right to express themselves through fashion. 90% of all schools across the U.S that insist school uniforms require a certain colored top and bottom. Students use the way they dress to show what kind of person they are, making them dress all the same won’t show their individuality. Some people also say that having uniforms will reduce the risks o...
The undergraduates will not have to worry about wearing an ‘unattractive’ outfit. Parents and their children will not have to worry about the prices of clothing or buying as much, because they will already be wearing a pre-set outfit. Buying a set outfit that the school mandates mean that it will be much cheaper than normal outfits that students would normally buy. One student would not have a special treatment form faculty or friends because of the clothes they wear, because they are all the same
By requiring school uniforms in public schools, education will be improved. A dress code will enforce discipline toward learning. Uniforms improve a person’s outlook toward success. Students generally act the way they are dressed. With fewer distractions, students see the school as a workplace for teaching and learning. Students also have less stress in their lives because they are not in a fashion competition. Dress codes also lead to a change in grades. Mainly this happens because the student’s attendance comes up. There is also a change in grades because it is easier to focus when everyone looks alike.
Worrying more about others, rather than themselves, students pay more attention to the appearance of their peers instead of their academics. To begin, if school uniforms became apart of the school policy, students’ academics would improve phenomenally. Hanley noted that “The reason for the policy [was] to further improve ascending test scores and provide a safe, comfortable learning environment” (A1+). Clearly, school administrators wanted to improve test scores, and they figured if students dressed the same, then they would have no other choice but to focus on their school work. If the students can concentrate on their school work, then they will have high self- esteem. Furthermore, Valdez believes that school uniforms, positively, will change student academics: “… [they] decrease self consciousness and increase self esteem...” (14). Reasonable and realistic, students who feel better about themselves will succeed in school rather than those who have poor self-esteem. Not only do school uniforms encourage students to have a better attitude about themselves, but they also change the environment in which students learn....
Consumers today continue to be fascinated by personal appearance and fashion styles. Fashion, and the way we present ourselves through clothing
Most adults are confident in their assumption that children and teens that dress nice are nice. Hence, the idea that dress codes will affect school climate positively. This statement does not always hold true because dress codes are not all created equal. Acceptance of the dress code is a pre-requ...
In a public setting like a high school, how a student or students dress, can have a negative effect on the entire student body, even with a dress code. On
A dress code enforces discipline toward learning by changing a person’s attitude toward success. Students generally act the way they are dressed. With fewer fashion distractions, school will be seen as a priority for teaching and learning rather than trend competitions. This alteration leads to modification in grades because it’s much easier to focus when everyone is dressed alike. Furthermore, a student’s attendance also improves; with the relief of picking out a new outfit every morning.