Physical Appearance Influence on a Treatment - Essay Example

Human Observation Project Baseline Information I. ment of the Problem Several factors are identified to affect a person’s social relationship with his peers, or the type of people that he goes along with. Psychological studies on human behavior and society show that the factors such as physical appearance may influence a person’s self-esteem, perception about life and his attitude towards his environment. This factor is one of the common measure or bound for acceptance of, preference for, or discrimination against a person of a certain race or physique. A supporting and similar study is one entitled Physical Appearance and Intimate Friendship in Adolescence by Raul Cordeiro, it was found out that the existence of relationships of intimate friendship among the Portuguese samples is affected by sex. Results show that among the female respondents of the study, it serves as an identification factor. This means that girls identify with boys because of their common ideas, shared feelings, or similar socialization process. On the other hand, for the male respondents, this factor serves as a status symbol, which is related to boys’ tendency to protect their position. According to the author, a man’s preference or choice of a female friend is an affirmation of their manliness which also affects their socialization process (Cordeiro, 2005). Further illustrating how physical appearance affects treatment by other people towards an individual is obesity’s impact on a person’s preference of friends and his or her general relationship with his peers. Obese children are prone to bullying- which may include teasing, name calling, or physical harm- being targets of rumors and lies, and social isolation due to the unfavorable treatment by their classmates. This also shows how children prefer average-bodied friends over the obese ones (Texas Department of Health, 2004). II. Theory Statement of relationship or cause and effect. The cashier’ treatment of customers is influenced by the buyer’s physical appearance III. Hypothesis The cashier’s treatment of customers having their break at the school cafeteria is not influenced by physical appearance. Customers are automatically considered as subjects of the experiment upon purchase of any of the goods or food available at the cafeteria. Physical appearance is measured in terms of color of skin, body type, suspected race, and type of clothes. IV. Procedure or Methodology The investigator sat by the cafeteria, near the cashier, maintained a low profile and waited for students to come in to have lunch or just pass their time. He made himself appear to be a regular customer to avoid being noticed and cause any bias in the results of the observation. An assistant stood nearby and served as a lookout to aid the investigator in identifying samples. To measure whether physical appearance influences or affects the cashier’s treatment of customers, the investigator and the assistant took note of the cashier’s facial expression, speed of service, and manner of talking while dealing with the customers. The customers’ physical appearance- color of skin, body type, suspected race, and type of clothes- were also noted down. These were then tallied to identify the treatment the cashier gives to a particular customer. V. Results Thirty samples- 15 males and 15 females- were considered in the observation. Seven of the samples for each gender were whites while the remaining eight were of different races. These were all customers who went to the cafeteria and purchased some food between 12:00 noon and 1:00 in the afternoon. Based on the noted observation, the cashier gave a pleasant smile and quicker service to majority (10 subjects) of the whites, regardless of gender. On the other hand, also regardless of gender, a less customer-friendly service was given to most or 12 of the buyers who were not white Americans. Some of the ‘unfriendly’ gestures given to these subjects were slight frowns and uncomfortable manner of talking. Only a slight difference was observed on the speed of service given to all the subjects, although results did show that the whites’ needs were addressed to more quickly. In terms of age, more favorable treatment was given to the younger customers, mostly teens. However, that does not mean discrimination on the part of the older ones. Only a few signs of impatience were noticed being given to the older customers. The cashier was a female, and confirming or supporting results of Cordeiro’s study, she gave better service to the male customers regardless of age. A fairly ‘friendly’ treatment was given to the females, except for those who seemed to have foreign blood. VI. Discussion. Results of the conducted observation generally confirm the idea that physical appearance does affect a person’s treatment of different individuals. And as was stated in Raul Cordeiro’s study (2005), gender also affects the level of intimacy that exists in opposite sex relationships. Observations show that Cordeiro’s findings are also applicable to relationships formed or treatment given to an individual in relation to his or her physical appearance. Furthermore, aside from gender, age also influences the cashier’s treatment of her customers. Behavior Change VII. Statement of the Problem Observation results support the theory that physical appearance influences a person’s treatment of other individuals. Based on the obesity study conducted by the Texas Health Department, unfair or biased treatment, especially unfavorable ones have psychological effects, which could also lead to more severe disorders. These effects include depression, having suicidal thoughts, and in the case of obesity issues, children are more prone to having weight control problems such as bulimia (Texas Department of Health, 2004). To address this problem, cashiers, staff and other people concerned should be given proper orientation regarding this issue. For instance, conducting seminars about discrimination could help a lot in avoiding unfair treatment to some individuals. Cashiers, in particular, should be given proper training on how to deal with customers. As in the case of the observed behavior, the cashier should be polite and friendly regardless of the customers age, gender and most especially, physical appearance to keep away from causing any psychological disturbance on the part of the buyer. VIII. Theory Statement of relationship or cause and effect The cashier’s treatment of customers is influenced by the buyer’s physical appearance, which includes color of skin, body type, suspected race, and type of clothes. Other factors affecting treatment are age and gender. IX. Hypothesis The cashier’s treatment of customers having their break at the school cafeteria is influenced by physical appearance. Customers are automatically considered as subjects of the experiment upon purchase of any of the goods or food available at the cafeteria. Physical appearance is measured in terms of color of skin, body type, suspected race, and type of clothes. The cashier’s treatment is observed according to the following gestures or signs: facial expression, speed of service, and manner of talking while dealing with the customers. X. Procedure or Methodology The cashier and other cafeteria staff were gathered and given proper orientation on how to better deal with customers, regardless of their physical appearance, age, and gender. This seminar included a discussion of the importance of courtesy and politeness and how this could help the customers in having a stress-free daily life. Part of the discussion are polite greetings and, as needed, the ways of how to control anger and impatience. The staff were trained to maintain a smile throughout their shift or when dealing with or addressing the needs of the customers. XI. Results Only sixteen samples were gathered for this procedure, and they were chosen regardless of age and gender. Thirteen of the samples, which included cooks and other assistants, knew how to deal with customers. They knew how to maintain a pleasant manner of talking to the buyers and being patient with the older customers. XII. Discussion Results imply that human behavior, particularly dealing with other people, is influenced by different factors, which include physical appearance, age and gender. However, these reactions are often due to the unawareness of their effects. When given proper education or when made aware about the consequences of their actions, humans, as in the case of the cafeteria staff, are able to adjust. Further research should be made regarding other factors that affect a person’s treatment of other individuals to be able to address more of this issue. WORKS CITED Cordeiro, R. (2005). Social Behavior and Personality. Retrieved April 17, 2007 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3852/is_200501/ai_n9520809 Texas Department of Health (2004). Psychological Impact of Obesity on School-Aged Children. Retrieved April 17, 2007 from http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/phn/pdf/Psychological%20 impact%20of%20obesity.pdf Read More