Attractiveness - The Effects of Physical Attractiveness On Liking - Assumptions About Attractive People

Assumptions About Attractive People

We are attracted to that which is beautiful, and that can lead to unfair treatment.

In a study conducted with premature babies, it was found that neonatal nurses responded more positively to cuter babies and gave them better care. As a result, cuter babies gained weight more quickly and were discharged sooner than the less attractive babies.

People assume that physical attractiveness is highly correlated with other desirable traits. The results of many studies indicate that beauty constitutes a powerful stereotype called “what is beautiful is good”.

A study in 1999 by Perlini, Bertolissi, and Lind, showed photographs of attractive and unattractive younger and older women to first-year university students and to senior citizens. The researchers found that participants attributed more positive qualities to attractive women – regardless of their age. Senior men attributed more positive qualities to attractive young women than to attractive older women.

Physical attractiveness has the largest effect on both men’s and women’s attributions when they are making judgments about social competence. The beautiful are thought to be more sociable, extroverted, and popular than the less attractive. They are also seen as more sexual, happier, and more assertive. Highly attractive people do develop good social interaction skills and report having more satisfying interactions with others than do the less attractive.