High-Threat Condition
The principal researcher (male), a research assistant (female), and two
confederates were present in the high-threat condition only. The male
confederate (described as a second participant) represented the male ideal
(muscular build, well-defined abdominals, strong arms, and a “V” shaped
figure; Once changed into their shorts and t-shirt, participants were directed to
their seat, which was situated immediately to the right of the male
confederate. This seating was purposeful as it forced the participant to
either look at the two mirrored walls in front of them and to their right,
or the male confederate to their left, during the entirety of the testing
session. Following the second saliva sample (pre-threat), the female
confederate and a research assistant brought out the testing equipment
(i.e., skin calipers and measuring tape, handgrip dynamometer, scale, and
stadiometer) and set up the video camera. The principal researcher then
explained all the testing procedures. Participants were told that they would
undergo several physical and strength assessments to indicate overall
strength and muscularity, with their shirts off for accuracy. They were told
that the video camera was there to ensure the measurements were taken
properly and accurately although the camera was not actually recording.
Standardized laboratory procedures for all physical and strength measures
were used.The male confederate was always tested first, directly in front of the actual
participant. All measurements were taken and read out loud by the female
confederate, such that everyone in the room could hear, and were recorded by
the principal researcher. Once all the measurements were completed,
participants were told that the research assistant was going next door to
calculate percent body fat and determine norms for the first participant’s
(male confederate’s) values. Upon returning to the room (in approximately
2–3 min) the research assistant passed the “results” to the female
confederate, who then read the male confederate’s “results” out loud so all
could hear. Values indicated that the male confederate tested in the
healthiest range for percent body fat and in the upper range for strength
and arm, chest, and waist circumferences, similar to what is typically seen
for international level athletes. Following, the participant underwent the
same anthropometric measurements in the exact same order. The female
confederate read all measurements out loud for everyone in the room to hear.
However, upon completion, the participant was told that to save time the
testing would proceed, and all measurements would be made available to them
at the end of the testing session. Following the fifth saliva sample
(recovery) participants completed a questionnaire assessing how similar the
male confederate was to their body ideal, and how attractive they found the
female confederate.