The Implicit Relational Assessment procedure (IRAP) and attractiveness bias

• The IRAP behavioral measure detected implicit attractiveness bias
• Directionality of bias was pro-attractive, not anti-unattractive
• Attractiveness bias found in the domain of competence/successfulness
• Effects of gender difference were examined in explicit and implicit data
• Suggests nuanced responding in attractiveness bias

The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) was used in the area of attractiveness bias and attributions of successfulness. Alternate IRAP trial-blocks required participants to affirm consistent (attractive–successful) and inconsistent (unattractive–successful) relations; shorter mean response latencies across consistent trial-blocks were interpreted as implicit attractiveness.stereotyping. Participants also completed a rating scale for successfulness of attractive versus unattractive individuals. Both implicit and explicit (rating data) data showed statistically significant attractiveness bias for male and female participants. Directionality of bias was analyzed via the IRAP 4 trial-type methodology to determine if it was pro-attractive or anti-unattractive, or if bias was evident.in both directions, or if no bias was shown. For both gender groups, bias was shown to be proattractive.and not antiunattractive. Findings are discussed with regard to a comprehensive account of attractiveness bias, directionality, and contextual influences.