Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
09:36
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Effect of different professions' clothing on children's height perception
Mahmoud Rashidi1, Katayoun Keshtkaran, Sahar Zabihidan
1University of Isfahan, Iran.
The Spanish Journal of Psychology
|November 20, 2012
Summary
Clothing significantly influences children's height perception, especially for high-prestige professions. Boys and girls perceived height similarly across different professional attire.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Child Development
Background:
- Individual perception is influenced by biological and non-biological factors.
- Clothing is a non-biological factor that can alter perceptions of physical attributes like height.
- Previous research has explored clothing's impact on adult perceptions, but less on children's height estimations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how clothing associated with different professions affects children's perception of height.
- To determine if the prestige of a profession influences height perception in children.
- To examine gender differences in children's height estimations based on professional attire.
Main Methods:
- 180 primary school students participated.
- Students estimated the height of an actor dressed in the clothing of four distinct professions.
- Professions were selected based on varying levels of social prestige.
Main Results:
- Perceived height significantly deviated from actual height when the actor wore clothing of socially esteemed professions.
- No significant gender differences were observed in height estimations across the different professional attires.
- Children's height perceptions are susceptible to social cues conveyed through professional clothing.
Conclusions:
- Professional attire can create an illusion of altered height in children's perceptions.
- Social prestige associated with professions plays a role in modulating children's height estimations.
- Findings suggest that children's judgments are influenced by social stereotypes linked to occupations.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Nature and Nurture
Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
01:25Factors Affecting Perception
Perception is influenced by perceptual set, context, motivation, and emotion. Perceptual set, or perceptual expectancy, refers to the tendency to perceive things in a particular way, influenced by previous experiences and expectations. This phenomenon affects the interpretation of stimuli, creating a set of mental tendencies and assumptions that impact sensory perceptions of sound, taste, touch, and sight.
An illustrative example of a perceptual set is the scenario where an airline pilot told...
An illustrative example of a perceptual set is the scenario where an airline pilot told...
01:27Signs of Puberty
Puberty is a critical phase, typically beginning between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys, though timing can vary based on genetics, environmental factors, and overall health. This period is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the attainment of reproductive potential. Endocrine changes underpin puberty, with hormonal surges of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) instigated by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)...
01:29Impression Management Techniques I: Managing Appearances
Appearance is a multidimensional aspect of self-presentation that encompasses observable attributes such as clothing, grooming, speech, and nonverbal behavior. These elements are often strategically managed to align with socially constructed expectations in different settings. For instance, individuals tailor their appearance during job interviews, social gatherings, or athletic events to meet the perceived norms of those environments.Contextual Adaptation and Social SignalsThe research...
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
02:30Naturalistic Observations
If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...