<p>Do looks (or beauty) really matter? </p>
<p>Do you think people who are attractive have it easier in life? </p>
<p>Do you treat attractive people better?</p>
<p>I was reading an article that said that attractive people get paid more, are less likely to be fired, and get more time with their doctors? I was wondering how true this was.</p>
<p>for the most part, we live in a pretty shallow society that believes that what they see is what they get. i think it definetely depends on social class and where you come from, but i can pretty much agree that attractive peope have it easier. i’m a model (not saying i’m attractive) and even though i can’t keep it a secret in my school or community, i generally choose not to tell people just because of the unfair treatment you get.</p>
<p>
Wait…are you serious? Yes of course attractive people have it easier, its been like that since the dawn of time regardless of society, regardless of culture.</p>
<p>"In society, attractive people tend to be more intelligent, better adjusted, and more popular. This is described as the halo effect - due to the perfection associated with angels. Research shows attractive people also have more occupational success and more dating experience than their unattractive counterparts. One theory behind this halo effect is that it is accurate – attractive people are indeed more successful.</p>
<p>Research shows attractive people also have more occupational success and more dating experience than their unattractive counterparts.
An alternative explanation for attractive people achieving more in life is that we automatically categorize others before having an opportunity to evaluate their personalities, based on cultural stereotypes which say attractive people must be intrinsically good, and ugly people must be inherently bad. But Elliot Aronson, a social psychologist at Stanford University, believes self-fulfilling prophecies - in which a person’t confident self-perception, further perpetuated by healthy feedback from others - may play a role in success as well. "
[Looking</a> Good: The Psychology and Biology of Beauty](<a href=“http://www.jyi.org/volumes/volume6/issue6/features/feng.html]Looking”>http://www.jyi.org/volumes/volume6/issue6/features/feng.html)</p>
<p>“Moreover, a person’s demeanor and personality also influences how others perceive his or her beauty.”</p>
<p>So the question, then, is what kind of characteristic does that demeanor and personality need to exhibit in order to preserve a person’s “beauty” ?</p>
<p>Sounds artificial. But, if that is a good question, then answer it.</p>
<p>like futureshallow said… i think it is the shallow people who judge and treat others based on looks. but it may not always be the case where you are treated solely based looks. because in the end, it really depends on the individual who you interact with.</p>
<p>I’m going to be frank here. Yes, obviously personality is important, but you need to think realistically.</p>
<p>Looks do matter. A lot. It’s literally the first thing you see in a person.
And yes, good looking people do have it lucky. But that doesn’t mean anyone else has to suffer. If you’re not lucky enough to be bestowed with natural beauty, don’t just give up. Work out. Keep fit. Take care of yourself and present yourself nicely. Have fun. Not being born beautiful doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t become beautiful.</p>
<p>Looks do matter. However, intelligence, confidence, and kindness are important as well. I agree with CBatch that people should stay fit, well groomed, and healthy no matter what they look like.</p>
<p>Looks can only take to far enough…but it’s your package–personality, intelligence, charm & confidence that really matter and will take you further :)</p>
<p>@Northstarmom
That theory has many flaws. The most successful people in the world are not considered attractive. Bill Gates is a good example. Look at Forbes top 10, all of them are unattractive in today’s standards. Also, for some reason I have noticed that the most intelligent people you meet in school (those with the highest grades and test scores) are unattractive as well. Through my schooling experience, more often than not, the kid with acne scars, glasses, and a little overweight usually ends up as one of the most intelligent kid.</p>
<p>"The most successful people in the world are not considered attractive. "</p>
<p>It matters how you define “success.” However, even if one only uses noninherited wealth that an individual has accrued as a definition of “success” people like Oprah and many rock stars, actors and other celebrities definitely are attractive. Donald Trump was attractive until he got older started looking dissipated.</p>
<p>When it comes to recent (since the TV age) presidents even, most U.S. presidents have been more attractive than is the average person.</p>
<p>“Through my schooling experience, more often than not, the kid with acne scars, glasses, and a little overweight usually ends up as one of the most intelligent kid.”</p>
<p>I know a lot of very good looking very intelligent people. Even when I was in high school that was the case. The most intelligent students, however, tended not to put as much emphasis on make-up and clothes as did students who were less intelligent but more interested in fashion, etc.</p>
<p>I also have seen as an adult a correlation between intelligence and not being very overweight. More intelligent people seem to tend to take better care of their health including by having better nutrition habits than do people of less intelligence.</p>
<p>^
I still have to disagree with you. I have not heard anyone say Oprah is attractive. And I have never seen Obama considered hot or sexy. Like I said before, most of the worlds wealthiest and most powerful people are unattractive in today’s standard. Just watch CSPAN when Congress is in session, you will see some of the ugliest people. Please look at the Forbes top Billionaires list, you wont find any “baby faces” that’s for sure (except those who inherited their wealth). Again, in high school, I find it true that 95% of the jocks and popular and “hot” kids in high school end up to be the average “joes” in the future
[The</a> World’s Billionaires - Forbes.com](<a href=“http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/10/billionaires-2010_The-Worlds-Billionaires_Rank.html]The”>The World's Billionaires - Forbes.com)</p>
<p>I think when the career involves technology or science then the vast majority are still successful and are not attractive. I am not saying that phyicians or biologists are unattractive, some are, but it is definitely not the “hottest” occupation. There are many successful individuals who are not attractive, but still have lots of many. I do agree that attractive people are more successful in finding jobs, keeping their job, etc… Yet, you can not say that “ugly” people are not successful too. Look at Bill Gates, you cannot say he is attractive. Or Donald Trump. When it comes to women I think it is a different story, though.</p>
<p>it’s shallow n sad to say but yes attractive people CAN lead easier life (this is in general…not specific case or anything)
It’s just psychological…</p>
<p>however, many “unattractive” ppl (by society standard…or whatever) project self-confidence and beauty through personality and also have a successful life. whereas some super attractive people get too self obsessed and become easily annoying. </p>
<p>I believe the key is CONFIDENCE (but not pompous), whether u looks hot or not :)</p>