why do we assume things about others based on their clothing?

Question

I am doing this for science fair. And I need to involve some science! Physcology is a very important article involved with clothing and how we view others.

Answer 1

Because we don't take the time to actually get to know everyone, it is a shortcut we take, it's a normal human thing to do. It can be detrimental and assumptions can be wrong, but it a quick way of assessing what one sees.

Answer 2

There are some things that clothing and outward appearance give certain clues to. Are the clothes clean and neat? Is the person clean and neat? Are the clothes expensive or not? Are the clothes appropriate for the situation? Are the clothes overly sexual or underage for the person wearing them?

All of these things give fairly good clues as to how the person feels about themselves. Clothes do not have to be expensive for the person to be worthwhile, but if they are dirty or wrinkled, the person probably doesn't feel very good about themselves. If they are overly sexual or underage, the person may be trying to make themselves feel better about some aspect of their personality. On the other hand, perfectly put together people may also be trying to cover up a sense of inferiority as well. So, although you can tell some things about a person just by first glance, you need a lot more information to make a real assessment.

Answer 3

Look at this from another aspect. I try not to judge people by what they wear. But I am sorry when I see boys and their pants are hanging past their underwear on purpose I can't help but pre judge them. It just looks sloppy and lazy and I guess I am guilty of pre judging them.
When I see girls or boys with black make-up and goth clothes. I don't pre judge as bad people but I do have a tendency to feel like they are very deep individuals. Does it make them better or worse from someone dressed in a polo shirt and slacks? It doesn't to me everyone has different personlaities.

Answer 4

People choose their clothing first based on financial means. So the first thing clothing says, is how rich you want to let on you are ( or wish you were).
Next is temperment. People choose to emphasize sexuality, or staidness, or non-conformity, etc., all by clothing. Clothing is communication. It's part of how we let other people know who we are and what we want. So it's not merely an assumption, that people who wear such and such are so and so. At least, as a general rule.

Answer 5

We are what we eat, but what about what we wear. Society determines the meaning of certain clothing such as the gold chain in hip/hop culture, the polo and khakis and the prep culture to metal spikes and leather in the punk/goth/s&m culture. We as a people make the meaning to our clothing and thus reflected to soecity. It's a shallow attempt to know someone or to think you know someone.

Answer 6

some people r poor some r rich its like judging a book by its cover

Answer 7

...........or car's people drive or books /movies they see. How they speak. What they do. If they own a pet, if so, what kind. Do they smoke, drink alcohol? What type of music do they like? Any hobbies, if so what are they? I could go on and on....