Physical attractiveness, mood, and the decision to card for the purchase of alcohol: Evidence for a mood-management hypothesis

Research has shown that physical attractiveness is associated with a decrea se in being carded for the purchase of alcohol. Two studies examine whether this relationship might be moderated by the mood of the decision maker. Pa rticipants were randomly assigned to a 2 x 2 (Mood: Positive or Neutral x A ttraction: High or Low) factorial design in which they first described a se ries of positive (cr negative) life events, and then viewed a video of a fe male college student. Males were less likely to card an attractive target t han an unattractive target; negative mood increased the tendency for an una ttractive target to be carded, and decreased the tendency for an attractive target to be carded. Study 2 considered whether this influence may have be en a result of the participant's interest in dating the target. Female subj ects rated a female target in terms of their willingness to have the target date their brother or a close friend. Data revealed an interesting mood by attractiveness interaction, indicating that an attractive target was less likely to be carded, and a positive mood state appeared to enhance this gen eral tendency. Results from both studies are interpreted within a mood-mana gement conceptual framework.