Physical attractiveness contrast effect and the moderating influence of self-consciousness

Separate studies provided evidence of a moderating effect of public selfcon sciousness (trait) and public self-awareness (state) on the physical attrac tiveness contrast effect involving social comparison between the self and o thers. Generally, when exposed to photographs of attractive women with idea lized physiques, women's self-perceptions of their own physical attractiven ess, social physique anxiety, and social self-esteem were each negatively a ffected. However, these negative contrast effects were most apparent among women with high public self-consciousness (trait assessment, Study I) or hi gh public self-awareness (state inducement, Study 2). Implications of these findings are considered.