Does It Pay To Be Beautiful?

 

by Klaudia Zdybel

Are individuals’ who are perceived as being “beautiful” or “handsome,” really that much more successful in life than the rest of us average people? While there have been numerous studies conducted and presented that have found that beauty is “absolutely connected with success – well, at least financial success,” being beautiful may not always be a blessing (Archer, 2012). There is research to show that beauty does make a difference, both positive and negative.

Many people have a tendency to assume that beautiful people are more friendly, more intelligent, have a better sense of humor, are more sexual and have better social skills. This is a great example of the “’halo effect’: when global evaluations about a person bleed over into our judgements about their specific traits” (Archer, 2012). Beautiful people get more smiles from others, more attention, better treatment, etc. which in the end all leads to a more  powerful self-image, higher self-esteem and expectations not only from others but themselves as well.

So, many people believe beauty is everything and opens doors to numerous possibilities. While in a sense this is true, there is also a downside for those who are deemed more attractive. Beautiful men and women can become borderline obsessive with regarding their looks. It almost seems as though their whole lives revolve around the fact that they are beautiful and perfect. The second there is a pimple, blemish, or wrinkle, it throws them into a panic. What many people may not be aware of is that low self-esteem is much more common among beautiful women than you would expect. Many of these women do not believe they are beautiful and have a very distorted image of themselves. These women often times endure social rejection, in which other females will make them feel like outcasts because they are threatened, and men will avoid them because they believe that they have no chance with a woman like that. Why would she choose an average Joe if she could have anyone she wants?

What are some other downfalls that accompany beauty you may ask. For one, women who are seen as beautiful sometimes have a less likely chance of being hired. Same sex employers may feel threatened and get jealous of the applicant leading them to reject their inquiry for employment. Many times women who are beautiful are perceived as less talented, in many cases others believing they have achieved their successes only because of their looks (PsyBlog, 2011).

Although there are many benefits of being beautiful, it is important to remember that looks are not everything. Beauty can threaten relationships, work and our image of ourselves.

Sources:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/reading-between-the-headlines/201206/the-psychology-beauty

http://www.spring.org.uk/2011/08/10-pleasures-and-pains-of-being-beautiful.php