What is the first thing we know about a person when we initially meet or see them? We don’t know their life story, personality, talents, what makes them laugh or cry; we know and see how they physically look. We often hear from people that “looks do not matter”, but in reality they do. People who are physically attractive are judged more positively than people who are considered unattractive. This can be seen in social, professional, romantic, and friendly situations. While we may not like to admit it, we have stereotyped people based on their physical appearance which is known as the physical attractiveness stereotype.
The physical attractiveness theory as stated in the text is “the general expectation that a physically attractive person has positive qualities while an unattractive person has negative qualities.” (Gruman). Personally, I have stereotyped people based on their appearance without even recognizing that I am doing it. For example, if I see a man with styled hair and a freshly shaven face I assume that they have their life together and they are organized. On the other hand if I see a man who has a five o’clock shadow and disheveled hair I assume that they’re just as messy and disorganized as their appearance. In the text it states, “people considered unattractive can be passed over for job advancement, and in legal proceedings can even be assumed to be more capable of criminal behavior.” (Gruman). It is important to recognize the physical attractiveness stereotype because it can have serious consequences.
Physical attractiveness plays a role in nearly all sectors of a person’s life including the workplace. In the workplace, there is a bias that favors individuals who are considered attractive. In an article by Forbes it states, “physically attractive individuals are more likely to be interviewed for jobs and hired, they are more likely to advance rapidly in their careers through frequent promotions, and they earn higher wages than unattractive individuals.” (Chamorro-Premuzic). Scientific studies have shown that less attractive people are less likely to get hired over an attractive individual and more likely to get fired after being hired. This bias and stereotype has serious consequences and needs to be addressed in the workplace because avoiding the existence of it will make eliminating it virtually impossible.
If you ask a person what their “type” is, replies will vary from physical and personality features. For some people, physical appearance is more important to them than the person’s personality. When looking for a partner, people have preferences whether it be tall or short, blonde or brunette, athletic or skinny, etc. We have all heard of “love at first sight”, which to me is becoming infatuated with a person not in love, solely based on a physical appearance. The Washington Post stated that, “As individuals contend for the most desirable mates, they end up being constrained by their own characteristics.” (Swanson). People tend to date people who are in “their league” physically due to competition in the dating pool. For example in the movie She’s Out of My League, the main character Kirk along with his family and friends could not believe that the gorgeous woman Molly could actually be in love with the “average looking” Kirk. In the text it states, “Fortunately, despite any evolutionary preferences for beauty, most people seek long-term partners who do not exceed, but rather match their own perceived level of attractiveness.” (Gruman). When there is a more attractive partner in a relationship people tend to doubt the genuity and longevity of the relationship.
The physical attractiveness stereotype is not accurate and attractiveness does not measure a person’s self and qualities. People are more than their looks and no physical feature will be able to tell you something about who they truly are as people. Keep that in mind the next time you meet a new person. It may be corny but “don’t judge a book by its cover”.
References:
Applied Social Psychology : Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems, edited by Jamie A. Gruman, et al., SAGE Publications, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/pensu/detail.action?docID=5945490.
Chamorro-Premuzic, Tomas. “It’s Time To Expose The Attractiveness Bias At Work.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 17 July 2019, www.forbes.com/sites/tomaspremuzic/2019/07/17/its-time-to-expose-the-attractiveness-bias-at-work/?sh=3c6cf8513248.
Swanson, Ana. “The Real Reason Some People End up with Partners Who Are Way More Attractive.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 29 Apr. 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/05/03/the-real-reason-some-people-end-up-with-partners-who-are-way-more-attractive/.