Clothing Impacts Social Interactions: A Classroom Observational StudyThere are many reasons why we choose to wear a particular item or style of clothing. Many of us view our clothing choices as an extension of our identity. While many others choose items from their wardrobe that reflect their current mood. There are also many times when we choose to dress a certain way in anticipation of being in a particular social context. Even people who don't seem to care about matching clothes or wearing a designer label or walking around wearing torn and dirty clothes are making a statement. What remains to be examined is whether or not there is a clear relationship between the clothes we wear and our social interactions. The implications of this relationship could lend themselves to a number of benefits. Imagine knowing that if you are dressed in a particular way; you are more likely to get better service in a restaurant. We already know that when you show up for a job interview, there's a certain dressy outfit that will make you more likely to get the job. Why do you think that when you're single and going out, you tend to spend more time getting ready and getting dressed? The answer is because we associate first impressions and attraction with our physical appearance. Numerous studies, using empirical reasoning in many different contexts, have attempted to establish a relationship between the two. Pamela Regan of California State University, Los Angeles, was quoted by the Washington Post as saying, "First, people need to dress appropriately: If you want to be treated well, then dress appropriately," after concluding a observational study on shoppers, the service they received and the way they were dressed. Published in Psychological Reports in 2002, his study titled "Customer Service As A Function of Shopper's Attire" revealed that upon entering a store, an employee took more than 20 seconds longer to approach a shopper dressed in gym clothes, instead of one dressed as if she were going to work. He concluded, “Clothing, like other aspects of appearance, appears to exert at least some influence on how we are perceived and treated by others” (204). For our particular study, we have... half of the article ......larger group and perhaps in more diverse contexts. It is clear that clothing has an impact on social interactions, however if I were to redo this study with a similar approach I would also add an element of investigation to the treatment. Perhaps self-perception about clothing has a greater impact on whether or not a student participates. This survey would examine how the student feels about their dress. A student wearing $200 designer jeans and a T-shirt may consider themselves well-dressed and participating more. However, since by my definitions this student would be modestly dressed, this would hinder my results. Establishing a meaningful relationship between clothing and class participation could be helpful to many people. Pamela Regan's study convinced me that if I want better service, I should dress well when I go shopping. If this study were to reveal a significant enough relationship, then students might reconsider how they dress for class as it could help their attendance grade. References Regan, P. C. and Llamas V. (2002). Customer service based on the buyer's clothing. Psychological relationships, 90, 203-204.