Weight halo effects: individual differences in personality evaluations as a function of weight?

The question of whether or not personality halo effects occur for weight for black and white women was examined in two experiments. Experiment 1 used a 2 (race of woman) ×2 (weight of woman) design and personality social desirability measures. Experiment 2 used a 2 (race of woman) ×2 (weight of woman) ×2 (sex of participant) design and the Big-5 dimensions of personality. Weight did not affect personality ratings on the dimensions of the Big-5. Personality halo effects only occur for social desirability aspects of personality. White normal weight women received higher social desirability ratings than white overweight women did. But, social desirability ratings of black women did not differ. These results are discussed in terms of prior research on beauty and weight.