PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS AND ACCESS TO ALCOHOL - WHAT IS BEAUTIFUL DOES NOT GET CARDED

This research examined whether previously documented social benefits a ssociated with physical attractiveness would influence the decision to request proof of legal age for the purchase of alcohol. Undergraduate s were presented with a photograph of a highly attractive or less attr active member of the opposite gender that they did/did not expect to m eet. Results indicated that the opportunity to interact with a highly attractive member of the opposite gender significantly reduced the cha nces that the target would be asked to provide proof of legal age. Phy sical attractiveness was positively related to perceptions of age in t he perception of male targets, but not for females. The implications o f these findings for restricting alcohol availability among miners are considered.