Viewers Rank Tiger Woods’ Apology Second Among Celebrity Apologies
-- Chris Brown’s apology to Rihanna ranked number one regarding sincerity –
Flemington, NJ, February 22, 2010 – Results from a national media study among 1,090 Americans revealed that Tiger Woods’ apology for his extramarital
affairs was ranked second among other celebrity apologies in 2009 and 2010.
The results were based on a series of studies that were conducted by HCD Research using its MediaCurves.com® website
during 2009-2010. The studies were conducted among Americans who ranked various celebrity apologies on a scale based on
levels of sincerity. Respondents ranked celebrities who were featured in news stories that were tested by
MediaCurves.com® in 2009 and 2010. To view detailed results go to: www.mediacurves.com.
Chris Brown’s apology for assaulting Rihanna scored a 17.2 with regard to the change in perceived sincerity levels,
compared to Woods’ apology, which scored a 7.9 with regard to the change in perceived sincerity levels. Additionally,
men and women rated the sincerity of Woods’ apology similarly after viewing the press conference, with 61% of women
reporting that it was sincere and 58% of men reporting that it was sincere.
Among the findings:
The scores below indicate the percent change in celebrities’ sincerity scores based on a scale of 1-7 before and after
respondents viewed the apologies. Higher scores indicate higher levels of perceived sincerity. Positive scores indicate
an increase in perceived sincerity and negative scores indicate a decrease in perceived sincerity.
SINCERITY
Chris Brown apologizing for assaulting Rihanna /17.2
Tiger Woods apologizing for his affairs/ 7.9
David Letterman's sex scandal confession/ 4.3
Governor Mark Sanford apologizing for his affair/ 3.2
David Letterman apologizing for Palin joke/ -2.3
Jaimee Grubbs apologizing to Tiger Woods’ wife/ -5.9
John Mayer Apologizing for Playboy Interview/ -13.6
Do you think that Tiger Woods’ apology was sincere?
Men/Women
Yes/ 58%/ 61%
No/ 42%/ 39%
While viewing the video, participants indicated their perceived levels of sincerity by moving their mouse from left to
right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. The
participants were also asked to respond to post-viewing questions.
ENDS