PERCEPTIONS OF AN INSTRUCTOR - DRESS AND STUDENTS CHARACTERISTICS

This study examined the influence of a female instructor's clothing st yle on students' perceptions of an instructor's characteristics. Socia l perception provided the theoretical framework. Formality of clothing style, students' clothing interest, and students' gender were the ind ependent variables. Perception of the instructor's characteristics was the dependent variable. A 25-iiem questionnaire was administered to 2 16 college students from three universities. Perceptions of the instru ctor's characteristics varied significantly with formality of clothing style. The students' clothing interest influenced perceptions to some extent; gender of students did not.