Understanding Why We Pay Closer Attention to Attractive People
Most qualities considered “universally attractive” to the human are, generally, physical features our species has long since attributed to being healthy and – believe it or not – average. This has to do with a subconscious instinct leftover from our ancestors to look for indicators of healthy genes versus maladaptive ones in the quest to reproduce.
Physical qualities considered to be universally attractive are: - Facial and body symmetry - Clear skin and neoteny (when facial features appear youthful) - Good hair (lustrous and healthy looking) - Body ratio (in women, waist-to-hip; in men, waist-to-shoulder) - Good smile (the quality of one’s teeth) Physical attributes considered “abnormal,” like that of height (unusually tall or short) would, in the past, indicate maladaptive genes, and attractive features are believed to be associated with good physical health, which is generally associated with better reproductive odds. So, in a sense, attractiveness from a scientific and evolutionary lens, has more to do with a lack of flaws versus the ability to see beauty.
Researchers have been studying human behavior and interactions with attractive individuals, as well as the mere concept of attractiveness, for years. In general, the consensus is that attractive individuals have, what some might consider, an easier life than others, in particular because they are treated better by their peers, both strangers and known individuals. This is because, whether you’re aware of it or not, our brains make the assumption that attractive people have better character qualities. This is what is referred to as the “halo effect,” which states that attractive people are assumed to be more intelligent, trustworthy, and have better social skills because we tend to believe that if a person possesses one good trait (attractiveness, for example), then we immediately associate other good traits to that first one.
Interestingly enough, though, some studies have found that this isn’t necessarily the case for women. Often times, women who are viewed as attractive are assumed by other women and their male counterparts to be shallow and unintelligent. Our brains desire understanding and to make sense of the world, thus the grouping of other traits with attractiveness is just a natural way in which our brains seek to create that understanding of the world around us. Our brains are wired for shortcuts in our surroundings – for example, if you go into a restaurant which is cluttered or not clean, your brain might make the assumption that the food tastes bad or will get you sick.
“Unattractive people” are not necessarily viewed negatively, they just tend to receive less attention and aren’t received or viewed as positively as their better-looking counterparts. Studies show that attractive people tend to be more successful, being paid more at work and promoted more frequently and quickly, and are usually happier, as well.
Some of this boils down to self-fulfilling prophecies. Parents tend to give more care and attention to cute babies than ugly ones. Attractive people tend to be treated better by their peers – having doors opened for them, being bought drinks or meals, receiving more undivided attention from authoritative figures throughout their life – thus, attractive people tend to have a more positive outlook on the world in general, as well as themselves. This can also have a negative impact on people who experience a “glow up,” though, based on how long a person has been considered attractive by their peers’ standard. If a person experiences bullying when they were younger because they weren’t attractive, then grows up to be considered the quintessential attractive person, they may intrinsically have a harder time trusting their peers judgment of them, or seeing themselves in a positive light.
So, do we pay more attention to attractive people? In short, yes. Attractive people tend to make a better first impression simply because humans find attractive people more interesting and, thus, pay closer attention to them which, in turn, means that we get a better understanding of who they are. We are more likely to pick up on the personality traits of attractive people because we listen more intently when they talk and pay closer attention to their social cues. One study by Psychological Science which was, in essence, an experiment with speed dating, place 75 male and female participants into groups of 5 to 11 people for 3 minute 1 on 1 conversations. Researchers found that if your conversation partner found you attractive, they were more likely to pick up on your personality traits than if they didn’t find you attractive. The study found, too, that this doesn’t just have to do with the desire to date or mate with someone attractive, either. We pay closer attention to attractive people whether we’re looking for friendship, romance, social status, or just have a genuine curiosity about attractive people. If you find yourself leaning in a little further when you’re talking to someone you find attractive, now you know that it has nothing to do with beauty per say, but more to do with that instinctive urge for successful reproduction and the psychological need to understand your surroundings.
And for those of you that self-identify as, or have been told throughout life are, attractive – don’t let it go to your head. Whether you’re quintessentially good-looking or not, ego is one trait which most people will agree is NOT attractive.
