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Sexual Appeals In Advertising

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Sexual Appeals In Advertising
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ETHICS IN ADVERTISING: SEX SELLS, BUT SHOULD IT?
Jessica Dawn Blair, Sam Houston State University Jason Duane Stephenson , Sam Houston State University Kathy L. Hill, Sam Houston State University John S. Green, Texas A & M University
ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to discuss whether or not it is ethical to use sexual appeals in advertising. The study also examines (1) if sex actually sells and if so, when and where is it being used in advertising, (2) the use of men and women in ads of a sexual nature, and (3) the role that ethics plays in the use of sexual appeals in advertising. It is important because it not only focuses on the use of sexual appeals in advertising, but also how ethical it is to do so. The study found that
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(2003, September). Peddling sex: Taut and trim flesh hits billboards as advertiser's aim low. [Electronic Version]. Business Mexico, 13(9), 48. Ramirez, A. & Reichert, T. (2000). Defining sexually oriented appeals in advertising: A grounded theory investigation. [Electronic version]. Advances in Consumer Research, 27, 269-273. Reichert, T., Heckler, S., & Jackson, S. (2001, Spring). The effects of sexual social marketing appeals on cognitive processing and persuasion. [Electronic version]. Journal of Advertising, 30(1), 13-28. Richmond, D. & Hartman, T. (1982). Sex appeal in advertising. [Electronic version]. Journal of Advertising, 22(5), 53-61. Severn, J., Belch, G., & Belch, M. (1990). The effects of sexual and non-sexual advertising appeals and information level on cognitive processing and communication effectiveness. [Electronic version]. Journal of Advertising, 19(1), 14-22. Taflinger, R. (May 28, 1996). You and Me, Babe: Sex and Advertising. Retrieved March 16, 2004, from …show more content…
& Weigold, M. (1994 September). Ethics in advertising: Ideological correlates of consumer perceptions. [Electronic version] Journal of Advertising, 23(3), 59-70. Victoria's Secret Advertisement (2003). Retrieved March 16, 2004, from http://www.gtslade.com/vs/vs3.html Whipple, T. & McManamon, M. &. (2002, Summer). Implications of using male and female voices in commercials: An exploratory study. [Electronic version]. Journal of Advertising, 31(2), 79-91. Wise, G., King, A., & Merenski, P. (1974, August). Reactions to sexy ads vary with age. [Electronic version]. Journal of Adverting, 14(4), 11-16. Zhan, S. (1999, March). When a picture is worth a thousand words. [Electronic version]. World Trade, 12(3),

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