Physical Attractiveness and Intellectual Competence

A Meta-Analytic Review

Bibliographic Data

ID14645166
AuthorsLinda A Jackson (Michigan State University), J E Hunter (0000-0002-9693-2878), Carole N Hodge
Year1995
Volume58
Issue2
Pages108
Publication date1995-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Psychology Quarterly (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0190-2725 • E-ISSN: 1939-8999
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2307/2787149
OpenAlexW2000234922
LanguageEN
Citations received97
References cited42

Meta-analysis was used to test hypotheses about the relationship between physical attractiveness and intellectual competence. in support of status generalization theory and implicit personality theory, attractive people were perceived as more competent than less attractive people. Attractiveness effects were stronger for males than for females, and stronger when explicit information about competence was absent than when it was present, in keeping with status generalization theory. In partial support of status generalization theory and expectancy theory, attractiveness was related to actual competence in children, but not in adults. Direct measures of competence were influenced strongly more by attractiveness than were indirect measures, as predicted by status generalization theory. implications for theory, organizational policy, and future research are discussed

Attraction · Attractiveness · Interpersonal attraction · Meta-analysis · Physical attractiveness · Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology

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