Capturing Beauty Bias: Validation And Application Of The Pretty Privilege Scale (PPS)

Abstract

The study aimed to develop and evaluate psychometric properties of a comprehensive instrument for assessing prejudices against beauty prevalent in Pakistani society. In the initial phase, a pool of 59 items was generated through literature review, focus groups, and interviews, with an acceptable value of content validity index (CVI), based on expert ratings. The face validity of the preliminary scale was assessed through a pilot study involving 400 participants, through exploratory factor analysis. Exploratory Factor Analysis was conducted to examine the internal consistency and dimensionality of the scale, revealing three main variables: media influence, interpersonal dynamics, and workplace environments. In the second phase, Confirmatory Factor Analysis was performed with 200 participants to validate the factor structure of the scale, and its psychometric properties, including alpha reliability coefficient (α), were determined. Ultimately, the study resulted in the development of psychometrically sound Pretty Privilege Scale (PPS), which measures three primary categories of beauty-related privileges.