Pretty Privilege: Does it Pay to be Beautiful?

We always say beauty is in the eye of the beholder but some physical characteristics are usually found by most to be more attractive. For example tall men, curvy women, symmetrical faces and bodies all are considered more attractive. 

If you search the web about beauty and its effect on human behavior you will find an exuberant number of research articles. Some of the study results have obvious answers and some were very surprising to me. Studies reveal that attractive people receive more attention, they get higher grades and land better jobs with better salaries and mark higher life satisfaction.  For example, more attractive CEOs earn more than less attractive counterparts. Attractive fund managers attract more investments and promotions unrelated to the fund performance. Human behaviorists call this the Halo effect where we assume good looking people are more intelligent, trustworthy and overall have good character.  

The advantages of being attractive do not stop here. The attractive people tend to have an easier time in our criminal justice system as well as they are less likely to bet arrested or convicted. In another study, it was found that attractive people were more likely to keep items for themselves and agree with statements like “I demand the best because I’m worth it.” However, this sense of entitlement was only apparent when participants’ actions were anonymous. In public, they curbed their selfishness.

Studies have shown that attractive people tend to cultivate a self-serving belief that they are better than others and have less tendency to engage in charity. They also have the tendency to blame others or situations for their lack of task performance. 

However, there is also evidence that attractiveness and goodness can go hand in hand. Studies show that people are more likely to find faces attractive when they perceive the person to be honest, kind, and not aggressive. This suggests that facial attractiveness is malleable.

In conclusion, while beauty is in the eye of the beholder, there are some physical characteristics that are typically considered more attractive. Attractive people tend to receive more positive attention and outcomes in life. However, it is important to remember that attractiveness is not everything, and that other qualities, such as honesty, kindness, and intelligence, are also important.