Certain occupations are more conducive to stress than others, and we now know that people in such occupations tend to suffer from a higher incidence of various illnesses. Black Americans have higher blood pressure levels than do whites, and also more hypertensive heart disease and strokes. Animal studies also show that stress can produce physical pathology, such as stomach ulcers. A great deal more needs to be known about these kinds of relationships. The tutorial will involve reading in this literature, discussion, and a paper in an area of the student's interest.
Physical attractiveness is also a consistently and frequently used informational cue.
These facts may be the reason physical attractiveness is so important and its influence so pervasive in the lives of almost every person in society. Research on physical attractiveness has been conducted in a variety of disciplines and has produced findings that span the continuum of human life. The findings reveal that physical attractiveness plays a dramatic role in an individual's personality development. The tutorial will focus on the scientific research on which these findings are based. Students may, if they desire, engage in a research project on a topic of personal interest.