Wearing Identity: How Collegiate Apparel Affects First Impressions and Social Perception
Start Date
April 2026
Location
3rd floor - Library
Abstract
This study examined university students and how wearing collegiate merchandise influences their first impressions and social perceptions. Participants were randomly assigned to view one of three images representing the same individual wearing plain attire (control condition), Xavier University apparel (in-group condition), or University of Cincinnati apparel (out-group condition). After viewing the image, participants completed questionnaires assessing desire for future interaction, perceived likeness, attractiveness, and perceived intelligence. Data were collected anonymously through the Sona system and analyzed using a one-way between-groups ANOVA. Results showed no significant differences between conditions for desire for future interaction, perceived likeness, or attractiveness. However, a significant effect revealed for one perceived intelligence item, as participants reported greater confidence in the individual’s ability to get the job done in the University of Cincinnati apparel condition than the Xavier condition. Overall, findings were inconsistent with our hypothesis that individuals wearing Xavier apparel would be rated higher across all measures than those wearing University of Cincinnati apparel (out-group condition) or plain clothing (control condition).
Wearing Identity: How Collegiate Apparel Affects First Impressions and Social Perception
3rd floor - Library
This study examined university students and how wearing collegiate merchandise influences their first impressions and social perceptions. Participants were randomly assigned to view one of three images representing the same individual wearing plain attire (control condition), Xavier University apparel (in-group condition), or University of Cincinnati apparel (out-group condition). After viewing the image, participants completed questionnaires assessing desire for future interaction, perceived likeness, attractiveness, and perceived intelligence. Data were collected anonymously through the Sona system and analyzed using a one-way between-groups ANOVA. Results showed no significant differences between conditions for desire for future interaction, perceived likeness, or attractiveness. However, a significant effect revealed for one perceived intelligence item, as participants reported greater confidence in the individual’s ability to get the job done in the University of Cincinnati apparel condition than the Xavier condition. Overall, findings were inconsistent with our hypothesis that individuals wearing Xavier apparel would be rated higher across all measures than those wearing University of Cincinnati apparel (out-group condition) or plain clothing (control condition).
