Like Esther, I know I've heard this somewhere but can't remember where at
the moment. My guess at an explanation (if the effect does in fact exist)
would run something like this:
Normally students "just throw something on" meaning t-shirt, shorts,
whatever. When students do a little social comparison to other students
based on attire, they feel equal since everyone is dressed the same. On the
test day, the student breaks the routine and "dresses up" meaning perhaps a
nice pair of pants, nice shirt, etc. Now the social comparison based on
attire makes them feel somehow better than the other students who are still
dressing "normally". The end result is more confidence in their ability and
hence a lessening of anxiety. And it is the lower anxiety level that allows
the student to perform better on the test than that student normally would.
So a student can improve his/her performance on an exam by dressing better
than others in the class. The actually degree of "dressing up" would depend
on the comparison group.
Just a wild guess at an explanation...
- Marc
G. Marc Turner, MEd
Lecturer & Head of Computer Operations
Department of Psychology
Southwest Texas State University
San Marcos, TX 78666
phone: (512)245-2526
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
