Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

August 30, 2002

To tan or not to tan

Fred Gibbons and Meg Gerrard and their attitude-changing filter camera. Photo by Bob Elbert.

by Bridget Bailey, News Service intern
Two researchers specializing in the psychology of health say they've found a more productive way to wean sun worshipers from catching some rays. They've proven that when you actually show people what ultraviolet (UV) radiation is doing to skin, they have a surprisingly high tendency to settle for the pastier look.

Frederick Gibbons and Meg Gerrard, professors of psychology, have been studying the impact of UV damaged skin on behavior for about two years. Recently, the two decided to try a new approach to their research -- UV photography.

Gibbons said there has been no previous examination of the impact of UV photos on behavior.

"After seeing test photos, we were convinced that they could influence behavior," he said.

The study began with 34 male and 36 female Iowa State undergraduates who had visited a tanning bed in the last six months, or who were going someplace sunny for spring break. They agreed to participate in a testing session described as a "study of recreational attitudes."

Students were randomly assigned to two separate groups. After filling out a questionnaire that included questions about attitudes toward tanning, the participants were told that the purpose of the study was to examine attitudes toward sun exposure.

Participants in the first group had their photo taken once with normal black and white film and once with UV filter film. A black-and-white UV filter photo reveals areas of skin damage by making the skin's melanin pigment visible on film. Skin damage appears as dark blotches or shaded areas.

After students saw their normal and UV photos and received an explanation of the difference between the two, they received a two-minute lecture about the role the sun plays in premature wrinkling and skin cancer. Students then filled out a second questionnaire and received three brochures that described the effects of UV radiation and discussed different forms of UV protection.

The second group heard the same two-minute lecture on the sun, filled out the same questionnaire and received the same three brochures, but were not photographed.

At the follow-up four weeks later, students were asked about tanning booth usage. The results were significant, according to Gibbons.

"The most surprising result was the powerful impact the UV photos had on Iowa State students' tanning booth usage," Gibbons said.

Gibbons said he wasn't shocked by the results of the UV camera experiment, but he was surprised to find that more than 80 percent of the students who participated had noticeable UV-caused skin damage. Of that 80 percent, Gibbons said about half exhibited signs of severe skin damage. For comparison, a similar study had been done at the University of California, San Diego. Ninety percent of the San Diego participants had noticeable UV-caused skin damage.

Gibbons said there was a two-thirds reduction in the amount of tanning booth usage among Iowa State students who were shown UV photographs.

A second Iowa State study the following spring semester with 134 Iowa State students showed essentially the same pattern of results.

In both cases, the changes were statistically significant, Gibbons said. They showed that a change in behavior was related to a change in students' attitudes.

Those in the UV group reported more concerns about tanning and less interest in getting a tan after they had received the photo, Gibbons said.

"The more their attitudes were changed by the camera, the less likely they were to use a tanning booth."

Gibbons and Gerrard have done several studies on UV behavior, one of which is approved for publication sometime next spring in Health Psychology. The pair currently is preparing two more submissions.

They have submitted a grant proposal to the National Cancer Institute for funding to continue research with University of California, San Diego, and ISU undergraduates, as well as with beach-goers in San Diego and road workers for the Iowa Department of Transportation.