Judgment Ambiguity, Self-Consciousness, and Conformity in Judgments of Fashionability

Abstract

The influence of ambiguity of judgment and self-consciousness on conformity in judgments of fashionability was examined. 160 female subjects completed the Self-consciousness Scale and made a reassessment of their original opinions of the fashionability of six women's suits after being exposed to the opinions of others. Greater conformity resulted for the more ambiguous judgments of future fashionability than to judgments of present fashionability. In addition, individuals high in self-consciousness conformed more to judgments of future fashionability than to judgments of present fashionability whereas individuals low in self-consciousness conformed equally to both.