Anti-Attractiveness Bias

[deux ex machina]

A recent study, Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful: Anti-Attractiveness Bias in Organizational Evaluation and Decision Making by Maria Agthe, really captured my interest.

 

[Article breaking it down here: Can You Be Too Good-Looking For Your Own Good? Yes. [LINK].]

 

It's pretty well-known that if a person is attractive, it's an advantage in any number of ways. However, it appears that it can be a disadvantage, too...

 

But recent research has shown how the advantages of being beautiful don't always translate into greater successes. In fact, being good-looking can cost you opportunities - jobs, scholarships, promotions - depending on the gender and attractiveness of your evaluator.

 

Psychologist Maria Agthe found that attractive applicants for a graduate scholarship received more favorable ratings from opposite-sex raters, but not from same-sex raters. Men were unimpressed by a male applicant's handsomeness, and women actually penalized female applicants for beauty.

 

In a second study, Agthe found that the effect of an applicant's attractiveness on their ratings also depended on the beauty of the beholder. Good-looking raters didn't seem to care one way or the other how handsome or beautiful an applicant was, but average-looking raters did - they penalized better-looking same-sex applicants.

 

Depending on the circumstances, when going for a job an attractive person may want to consider toning their look down more than would be necessary otherwise.

 

 

 

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Source: Psychology Today.

Edited July 21, 2010 by deux ex machina

[freestyle]

kinda like, "dumbing-down" your looks?

 

Yep, "pretty people" get judged/punished for their looks, too.It's not fair.

 

Great article, I think there's a lot of truth to it.

[deux ex machina]

kinda like, "dumbing-down" your looks?

 

Yep, "pretty people" get judged/punished for their looks, too.It's not fair.

 

Great article, I think there's a lot of truth to it.

 

Yes, I think there is a lot of truth to it, as well.

 

They go over factors in the article, such as competition and threat. I also wonder if the idea that "pretty people" have it easier, almost gives some people tacit "permission" to be unfair. To attempt to rebalance the scales, so to speak.

 

One thing I appreciated most about the article was that it ended on a practical note.

 

Glad you liked it!

[shadowplay]

Funny, whenever I'm applying for a job and I know the gender of who is hiring, I base my look on that. If a guy is hiring, I usually play up the sexy look (while staying appropriate). With a woman, I tend to tone it down. Has worked for me so far.

[Green]

I consider myself very good looking to women. But other then the fact I'm tall I don't think most men would pick up on the fact that I'm good looking.

 

What I'm saying is I'm a mans man and a ladies man. Men want to be my friend, women want be my lover.

 

So all I get are advantages.

[Pyro]

I consider myself very good looking to women. But other then the fact I'm tall I don't think most men would pick up on the fact that I'm good looking.

 

What I'm saying is I'm a mans man and a ladies man. Men want to be my friend, women want be my lover.

 

So all I get are advantages.

 

:lmao:

 

I almost took this as a serious reply.

[D-Lish]

It's funny, in my industry, we serve women- that's our customer base. I find that women don't want to be served, nor do they want to buy from attractive young women. Especially older woman- they don't want to have a bra fitting with a young, attractive associate.

 

There is a sales associate in one of my stores that is stunning- she's just beautiful- she's 22 and just oozes "sexy". Her sales are so low. I've observed her sales approach on numerous occasions, and she has all the right stuff in terms of customer service, but women generally don't like her or want to deal with her. Even though she's very good at what she does- she has to face open hostility from most customers she has to fit in the changeroom. The way she looks threatens a lot of women. I spoke with her and her manager last month and suggested she ditch the contacts and wear her glasses while at work....Her sales have improved slightly.

 

I advise my managers to hire girls that other women can relate to. Unfortunatley, I know from experience that a female customer won't feel at ease with a beautiful associate.

 

I remember when I owned my store, a mother (and customer of mine) brought in her daughter to get fitted for her bridal corset. The girl walked in, saw me, and was immediately hostile. She spent a few minutes looking at things, then turned around and said to her mother in front of me "I'm not letting this skinny bitch help me". Then she left.

 

I would rather hire a plain Jane or overweight sales associate to deal with our custmer base, because I know our customer base will feel more comfortable and ultimately buy more.

 

So yes, sometimes being attractive will work against you.

[USMCHokie]

:lmao:

 

I almost took this as a serious reply.

 

Add it to the list:

 

(1) Man's man

(2) Very good looking

[USMCHokie]

It's funny, in my industry, we serve women- that's our customer base. I find that women don't want to be served, nor do they want to buy from attractive young women. Especially older woman- they don't want to have a bra fitting with a young, attractive associate.

 

And I would surmise that it works the same way with men...? Would males prefer to be assisted by sales associates that resembled their relatively body shape, size, and general look, or is it irrelevant for guys...? In department stores, when I was on my fruitless search for a suit, I had been assisted by guys of all sorts...and I don't think it affected my attitude towards them in the slightest bit...

 

I guess the hostilities come from customer insecurities...?

[freestyle]

And I would surmise that it works the same way with men...? Would males prefer to be assisted by sales associates that resembled their relatively body shape, size, and general look, or is it irrelevant for guys...? In department stores, when I was on my fruitless search for a suit, I had been assisted by guys of all sorts...and I don't think it affected my attitude towards them in the slightest bit...

 

I guess the hostilities come from customer insecurities...?

 

 

I think it's waaaay worse with women---we are socialized to be competitive with each other, and focused on our looks and body shape from a very early age......(gee,thanks, whoever invented Barbie.....)Yes, those insecurities are pounded into us all through our school years, and some women cling to them even well past graduation. Kinda sad, really.

 

I'm not saying men aren't competitive amongst each other, although I think it's mainly in sports, financial arenas,academia, and for some---being players. I don't believe men get jealous because,"that guy's got a skinnier ass than me..."

 

Well, straight guys, anyways........

[GoodOnPaper]

From the article:

 

Most of us assume that the beautiful people have it made - that being attractive gives you advantages across the board.

This is always my kneejerk reaction. Where I work in academia, there are very few stunningly beautiful people of either sex and I'm glad for that. It's nice to have one area of life where I can succeed without having to be the best-looking and most charismatic guy in the room.

[threebyfate]

Not only can it work against you professionally, it can also work against you when dating. You have that many more superficial people to filter out and sometimes you get fooled and ultimately, hurt badly.

[Green]

Not only can it work against you professionally, it can also work against you when dating. You have that many more superficial people to filter out and sometimes you get fooled and ultimately, hurt badly.

 

Now we have come full circle. There you have it being attractive can hurt you with dating...

 

This is like saying being a rich man can hurt you with dating... I mean the advantage far out weigh the threats.

 

I'm going to put this myth to bed as to men. As an attractive man I've never seen it to hurt me in any way both in the business arena, or social ones either.

 

I can't speak for women and their cattyness but oh well. Women are horible judges of female beauty any ways.

[threebyfate]

Now we have come full circle. There you have it being attractive can hurt you with dating...

 

This is like saying being a rich man can hurt you with dating... I mean the advantage far out weigh the threats.

 

I'm going to put this myth to bed as to men. As an attractive man I've never seen it to hurt me in any way both in the business arena, or social ones either.

 

I can't speak for women and their cattyness but oh well. Women are horible judges of female beauty any ways.

Your criteria for dating is solely superficial so you and I will have far different requirements for partners, regardless of gender. You'd be the type of guy I'd filter out.

[Green]

Your criteria for dating is solely superficial so you and I will have far different requirements for partners, regardless of gender. You'd be the type of guy I'd filter out.

 

Well considering you're older and have a kid don't worry about filtering me out as I'd never ask you out:cool:

[threebyfate]

Well considering you're older and have a kid don't worry about filtering me out as I'd never ask you out:cool:

For some reason, this doesn't bother me one bit.

 

I did notice that someone being married isn't as important to you as age and children. An interesting insight into character.

[GrayClouds]

To be cursed with beauty, I now know what's been holding me back from the fortunes I deserve for sooooo long.

[Pyro]

Not only can it work against you professionally, it can also work against you when dating. You have that many more superficial people to filter out and sometimes you get fooled and ultimately, hurt badly.

 

yes it can hurt you when dating.

 

If someone is considered very good looking to an individual then they the individual may be intimidated by that person or due to insecurities feel that they aren't worthy of being with someone who is so attractive to them. So while the attractive person starts to like the insecure person there is really no way to make it work.

 

It has happened to me before.

[deux ex machina]

To be cursed with beauty, I now know what's been holding me back from the fortunes I deserve for sooooo long.

 

I'm pretty sure there's a lot more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good-looking.

----------

 

I consider myself very good looking to women. But other then the fact I'm tall I don't think most men would pick up on the fact that I'm good looking.

 

What I'm saying is I'm a mans man and a ladies man. Men want to be my friend, women want be my lover.

 

So all I get are advantages.

 

I love this post...!

----------

 

 

Funny, whenever I'm applying for a job and I know the gender of who is hiring, I base my look on that. If a guy is hiring, I usually play up the sexy look (while staying appropriate). With a woman, I tend to tone it down. Has worked for me so far.

 

Yes, I think it might be wise for a person to keep things like that in mind. It could cost them if they don't.

 

----------

 

From the article:

 

This is always my kneejerk reaction. Where I work in academia, there are very few stunningly beautiful people of either sex and I'm glad for that. It's nice to have one area of life where I can succeed without having to be the best-looking and most charismatic guy in the room.

 

One thing that crossed my mind reading your post is that if there are very few beautiful people, then the ones that are must really stand out.

 

Do you think one of the stunners would experience things differently? That perhaps their looks can be a liability under certain circumstances in the academic world?

[deux ex machina]

Not only can it work against you professionally, it can also work against you when dating. You have that many more superficial people to filter out and sometimes you get fooled and ultimately, hurt badly.

 

That can hurt a lot, I think. Because in the end they wouldn't be interested in who you really are, as a person.

----------

 

...Even though she's very good at what she does- she has to face open hostility from most customers she has to fit in the changeroom. The way she looks threatens a lot of women. I spoke with her and her manager last month and suggested she ditch the contacts and wear her glasses while at work....Her sales have improved slightly...

 

I feel for her...that has to be so demoralizing. But it's okay to treat her badly -- after all, she's good-looking!

 

Ugh...riiiight.

 

...I remember when I owned my store, a mother (and customer of mine) brought in her daughter to get fitted for her bridal corset. The girl walked in, saw me, and was immediately hostile. She spent a few minutes looking at things, then turned around and said to her mother in front of me "I'm not letting this skinny bitch help me". Then she left.

 

Nice. Ah, the sisterhood sometimes...

 

I would rather hire a plain Jane or overweight sales associate to deal with our custmer base, because I know our customer base will feel more comfortable and ultimately buy more.

 

So yes, sometimes being attractive will work against you.

 

And there it is, in terms of the bottom line.

 

Thank you for your post.

Edited July 22, 2010 by deux ex machina

[threebyfate]

yes it can hurt you when dating.

 

If someone is considered very good looking to an individual then they the individual may be intimidated by that person or due to insecurities feel that they aren't worthy of being with someone who is so attractive to them. So while the attractive person starts to like the insecure person there is really no way to make it work.

 

It has happened to me before.

That's sad that someone would allow their insecurities to dominate like this.

 

That can hurt a lot, I think. Because in the end they wouldn't be interested in who you really are, as a person.

You totally get it. It's like being stabbed through the heart with a dull knife. You don't matter, only your shell, the shell that's being held up not as a person but as a form of external validation. In essence, you're just an object to be acquired and pulled out when it suits them.

 

That's why with H., it's so different. Wish I could explain to the members of LS what it feels like to be loved for you, not what you can do for the other person.

[GoodOnPaper]

One thing that crossed my mind reading your post is that if there are very few beautiful people, then the ones that are must really stand out.

 

Yes -- especially at scientific conferences. I'm in a field where men significantly outnumber women, so women of the stunningly beautiful variety are very few. One thing you notice is that they are always being chatted up during the conference.

 

Do you think one of the stunners would experience things differently? That perhaps their looks can be a liability under certain circumstances in the academic world?

 

Maybe -- it's tough for me to judge. I would guess the stunners would benefit in some instances and be at a slight disadvantage in others, depending on the circumstance and the other people involved. Probably a wash overall.

[Green]

For some reason, this doesn't bother me one bit.

 

I did notice that someone being married isn't as important to you as age and children. An interesting insight into character.

 

You're the married woman who felt the need to insult me by saying you would filter me out. I just wanted to let you know that the likes of you would not stand a chance with me for many reasons. 2 listed others not mentioned. You also hate men so I wouldn't want to put up with that.

 

Of course I wouldn't want to date a woman who was in any kind of a seriouse relationship.

[Engadget]

Thank you study for confirming what we already knew.

 

Hell, when I go out with my friend and his girlfriend she glares down any girl that she can see. She sizes them up, if they're good looking she will change her attitude.

 

Men don't really care as much, sometimes but not always.

[D-Lish]

And I would surmise that it works the same way with men...? Would males prefer to be assisted by sales associates that resembled their relatively body shape, size, and general look, or is it irrelevant for guys...? In department stores, when I was on my fruitless search for a suit, I had been assisted by guys of all sorts...and I don't think it affected my attitude towards them in the slightest bit...

 

I guess the hostilities come from customer insecurities...?

 

I think it's completely different. I think a man would buy a car from a sexy woman or an attractive man- I don't think it would matter as much.

 

Trust me, women are a much different consumer than men.

 

I think it's waaaay worse with women---we are socialized to be competitive with each other, and focused on our looks and body shape from a very early age......(gee,thanks, whoever invented Barbie.....)Yes, those insecurities are pounded into us all through our school years, and some women cling to them even well past graduation. Kinda sad, really.

 

I'm not saying men aren't competitive amongst each other, although I think it's mainly in sports, financial arenas,academia, and for some---being players. I don't believe men get jealous because,"that guy's got a skinnier ass than me..."

 

Well, straight guys, anyways........

 

Yep, women are way worse. Jealous, competitive, and often openly hostile to other women (especially if they deem them a threat).

 

One of my greatest strengths is disarming people. I just know how to make people feel comfortable, and that has helped me in the industry I am in.

Edited July 23, 2010 by D-Lish