Research has shown that we (everyday folks/mango people) automatically assign favourable traits such as talent, kindness, honesty, and intelligence to good-looking individuals (see Langlois et al., 2000). The irony is that “good-looking people” are aware that other people’s positive evaluations of them are not based on their actual traits and abilities are caused by a general attractiveness or “halo” ― Robert B. Cialdini, Influence
Much like other human biases the ‘Halo Effect‘ is a well documented phenomenon. The reasons are complex and instinctively embedded in our eyes, such as being visible, tangible, mystery plays a part and perhaps our own escapism or insecurities – we admire what we value because it might as well depict our longing for it or the general desire for human greatness. Like who doesn’t like perceived constructive value signalling (talent, kindness, honesty and intelligence – all good value as opposed to shitty ones).
Nothing sums it up the way – a radio broadcaster described it on air the other day – He said that hyper social/affluent peeps from upper echelons of society including Tinseltown circles that are gorgeous and prohibitively hot are eleven out of ten times BORING AF! – Brooklyn Ross, Kiss 1065 FM
Because they don’t have a personality, because they don’t need and/or required to develop one for people to want to hang out or be around them. So they’re a beneficiary of a human bias, but they’ve done nothing to be worthy or deserving and once the bias run out we’re left with let down stories. Perhaps it was our flawed perception & judgment which is the let down instead of good looking people. There was an Ad which said, asking beautiful people around beauty tips is like asking for financial advice from someone who just won the lottery.
Last week I came across a separate study that found good-looking fund managers (people who managed other people’s money) might be hired for marketing purposes, their not-so-attractive counterparts are likely recruited for their skills alone. Unattractive fund managers exhibit greater skill, evidenced by their tendency to allocate more capital to their strongest investment ideas and their superior abilities in market timing and stock selection (the actual freaking job). The first rule of the Dunning-Kruger Club is that you don’t know you are in the club.
Some are born into Kingdoms & Aristocratic families and some with visual tools (easy on eyes) and some with usual accessories i.e. brain and brawn. Perhaps the answer is Self acceptance which enables acceptance of others with a relentless commitment to Self improvement. It doesn’t matter what you inherited, what’s important is what you do with it!
Sources:
- Maxims or myths of beauty? A meta-analytic and theoretical review.
- What is the Dunning-Kruger Effect?
- Startup success hinges on founder personality: Research
- Science Asks: Do Pretty People Really Make More Money?
- New report: Physically attractive people earn 15% more than plainer colleagues
- 11 scientific reasons why attractive people are more successful in life
