Beardedness as a Stimulus Variable: Note on Methodology and Meta-Analysis of Impression-Formation Data

Apparently contradictory results have been obtained in studies of beardedness as a factor affecting impressions of men's personalities. Addison's (1989) attempt to account for this incongruence has focused on cognitive-developmental characteristics of subjects tested in relevant studies. An alternative to Addison's explanation, based on methodological considerations other than sampling, is suggested here. Broader implications of research on beardedness for conceptual meta-analysis in the social psychology of impression-formation are also discussed.