Attractiveness encompasses how others perceive and rate the desirability of a person's features. Physical attractiveness can include various spectrums, such as sexual attractiveness and physique. Physical attractiveness can have a significant effect on how people are judged, in terms of employment or social opportunities, friendship, sexual behavior, and marriage. This variance makes research studies regarding deriviation and influences towards physical attractiveness extremely important Physical attractiveness is quickly assessable and readily observable, and if no other relevant information is available physical attractiveness probably is the only influence governing our judgments.
Why is physical attractiveness so important? What is considered physically attractive? Social Psychology governs many fundamental theories which have been derived by psychologists to explain interpersonal attraction and the importance we place on attractiveness. Theories which derieve from cultural, social, evolutionary perspectives.
Many studies have found people tend to think more attractive individuals also possess other socially desirable personality traits. The belief that “what is beautiful is good” and physical attractive people are happier, outgoing, successful and kinder. Studies showed that more positive traits were attributed to the attractive individuals, as compared to the less attractive individuals.( ) This bias, also know as the halo effect, was obtained consistently over a wide range of rated traits and personal qualities. The halo effect occurs when physical beauty is generalized to other dimensions, such as social or intellectual skills. Many further studies have repeated these findings, showing this bias as well. ( )Previous research shows the halo effect also effects social competence, intellectual competence and personal adjustment.( ) Due to the halo effect attractive people are often judged as having a more...