People who overvalue appearance selectively attend to descriptors of the attractiveness ideal: Findings from an emotional Stroop task

Abstract Objective Attentional biases to stimuli related to stigmatized appearance are theorized to stem from appearance overvaluation, but little research has examined this link. As well, little research has examined whether appearance overvaluation is associated with biases toward stimuli that describe the attractiveness ideal. We addressed these gaps in the literature using the emotional Stroop task and tested whether appearance overvaluation is associated with an attentional bias for words that describe stigmatized appearance (e.g., fat, ugly, shabby), the attractiveness ideal (e.g., thin, beautiful, fashionable), or both. Method and Results In Study 1, a community sample of people ( N = 86) completed measures of appearance overvaluation, body dissatisfaction, and body mass index (BMI) followed by an emotional Stroop task. Appearance overvaluation was associated with an attentional bias for attractiveness ideal words—not stigmatized appearance words. Results remained significant when controlling for participants' body dissatisfaction, BMI, and gender. Study 2 ( N = 316) replicated these findings. Finally, an integrative data analysis that pooled the data of Studies 1 and 2 ( N = 402) provided additional support for our general hypothesis that people who overvalue appearance display an attentional bias to stimuli related to the attractiveness ideal. Discussion The results show a robust association between appearance overvaluation and selective attention for attractiveness ideal stimuli. Results are discussed in reference to theory and research on information processing in eating disorders. We also call for research to examine information processing of stimuli related to the attractiveness ideal among people with eating disorders and who place high importance on appearance for self‐definition.