By Heather Kittle
We’ve all heard something to the effect of “It’s what’s on the inside that counts” or “Looks mean nothing to me,” or even “Beauty is skin deep.” Usually coming from our parents or family members and friends, or a feel-good movie, and even more so, thanks to social media, that influencer who oddly is the standard of beauty. Now, I’m not saying that influencer doesn’t have their insecurities or your loved one genuinely thinks you’re beautiful, but what if I told you that the way you look plays a significant role in your life. Some of you may say, ‘No, that’s not true. Don’t be insecure’, while others will know exactly what I’m talking about. There’s also scientific evidence to back it up.
Let’s look at the Halo Effect. Some may be familiar with this term, while others may not. First named in 1907 by American psychologist Fredrick L. Wells, the Halo Effect is described as “… a cognitive bias that occurs when an initial positive judgment about a person unconsciously colors the perspective of the individual as a whole.” In other words, we are less likely to think negatively about a physically attractive person and almost completely disregard any destructive behaviors just because of how an individual looks. Don’t believe me? Let’s look at an example.
Jeremy Meeks, better known as “The Hot Felon,” shot to fame in 2014 when his mugshot from federal gun charges went viral. After serving his sentence and being released in 2016, Meeks went on to work for a top modeling agency. He made millions and was even engaged to heiress Chloe Green for some time. I’m not saying those with felonious pasts are inherently wrong until the end. Still, someone with the same history as Meeks but different physical features would not succeed in the same manner. Their mugshot probably wouldn’t have made it past the local news circuit. This isn’t to say I’m not happy he was able to leave a life of crime and thrive, but his pretty privileges got him where he is, not personality or skills.
You may be saying, ‘Well, of course! That’s Hollywood for you!’, but situations like this don’t just happen in celebrity land. How many of you know someone who grew into their looks or had someone they know lose a substantial amount of weight and started getting more attention because of it? Or maybe it was you this has happened to? Personality most likely hadn’t changed but looks sure had, and thus the positive attention did, too. More people holding doors for you, getting free things for seemingly no reason, people in general just being nicer to you, these are all things those who went through the ugly duckling phase have said to have happened to them.
But that’s just in public; there’s no way it can negatively impact me in the workplace or possibly my child in their classroom? My looks don’t affect how others perceive my intelligence and capabilities, right? Sorry, buddy, but you’re wrong. Studies have shown that, on average, ‘pretty-people’ generally earn 3 to 4 percent more than below-average-looking individuals. They have also been hired faster and often promoted sooner, even when underqualified.
A study done in 1968 showed that teachers’ expectations on whether a student will do well or not academically hindered whether the child was considered attractive or not. A more recent study from 2017 at the university level showed that whether the professor knew if their student were attractive or not (online vs. in-person) influenced grades given to the students. Furthermore, those deemed above average in looks scored significantly lower grades than their counterparts when in an online setting.
None of this was said to make you feel bad about your appearance (although I’m sure to a degree it may have, and I apologize), nor was it done to shit on those deemed beautiful by society standards. More so, it was done to open your eyes to the fact your looks alone can open or close doors for you (Figuratively and realistically). Having privilege in any degree should be acknowledged, whether from your gender to skin color or social your economic status. There is nothing wrong with having certain privileges that make it easier for you to succeed but denying that it applies to you when it does, doesn’t help anyone. Recognizing the bias and pushing for change does.
