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Cited by 372Racial and Ethnic Identity ResearchEvolutionary Psychology and Human BehaviorSocial and Intergroup Psychology

Skin color and the perception of attractiveness among African Americans: does gender make a difference?

Hill, Mark E.·2002·Social Psychology Quarterly
DOI 10.2307/3090169
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Abstract

Using data from the National Survey of Black Americans (NSBA), this study develops and tests a theory of gendered colorism among African Americans. The NSBA was collected by black interviewers and includes data on survey respondents' skin color and interviewers' subjective assessment of respondents' physical attractiveness. These data allow for a unique investigation of how skin color consciously or unconsciously influences assessment of physical attractiveness among African American adults. As predicted, results indicate that skin tone influences the attractiveness ratings assigned to black women in a compelling, monotonic manner. The association is significantly weaker for men. The gender-by-skin-tone interaction is consistent with the hypothesis that African Americans perceive fair skin tone as a particularly feminine characteristic. Findings suggest the pervasiveness of Eurocentric standards of beauty among African Americans. Implications are discussed in the context of American race relations.

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Crossref · 10.2307/3090169

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  • As dark skin is often associated with masculinity and virility, Black men, unlike Black women, can benefit from having darker skin in the context of societal appearance ideals and romantic relationships.

    “Additionally, as dark skin is often associated with masculinity and virility, Black men, unlike Black women, can benefit from having darker skin in the context of societal appearance ideals and romantic relationships (Hill, 2002; Phoenix and Craddock, 2022).”

    From Skin shade and relationships: how colourism pits Black and mixed Black-White women against each other (2024) · cites this paper as Hill, 2002

  • Due to patriarchal patterns of desire, women and men's experiences of colourism can differ, as women are typically judged on their looks more than men are, subjected to more societal appearance pressure, and held to different appearance ideals where light skin is consistently privileged.

    “Due to “patriarchal patterns of desire” (hooks, 2003), women and men’s experiences of colourism can differ, as women are typically judged on their looks more than men are, subjected to more societal appearance pressure, and held to different appearance ideals where light skin is consistently privileged (Hill, 2002; Phoenix, 2014).”

    From Skin shade and relationships: how colourism pits Black and mixed Black-White women against each other (2024) · cites this paper as Hill, 2002

  • Colourism can affect experiences in the relationship market, particularly for women.

    “Colourism also can affect experiences in the relationship market, particularly for women (Hill, 2002; Hunter, 2021).”

    From Skin shade and relationships: how colourism pits Black and mixed Black-White women against each other (2024) · cites this paper as Hill, 2002

  • Black women with lighter skin tones were perceived as more attractive than women with darker skin tones.

    “Black women with lighter skin tones were also perceived as more attractive than women with darker skin tones (Hill, 2002).”

    From Critical Race Theory (CRT) and colourism: a manifestation of whitewashing in marketing communications? (2020) · cites this paper as Hill, 2002

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Authors
Hill, M. E.
Affiliations
Pennsylvania State University (US)
Corresponding author
Hill, Mark E.
Venue
Social Psychology Quarterly
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2002-03
Volume
65
Issue
1
Pages
77
ISSN
0190-2725 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.2307/3090169
OpenAlex
W2086097294
Semantic Scholar
62c209f6dc20d1c74ac37c207d112b17b3952419
Cited by
372
References
67
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 46 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 21
FWCI
15.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Social Psychology Quarterly (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
Keywords
skin color, physical attractiveness, colorism, gender differences, African Americans, skin tone, beauty standards, Eurocentrism, race relations

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