Introduction
The power that accompanies a pretty face has received countless studies for a long time now. Jackson (1992) talks of the benefits of physical attractiveness, about success. Another author, Wilson (2003) talks of a meta-analysis that involved a total of 76 studies, all of which sought to augment the stereotype that ‘what is beautiful is good. This is a stereotype that often perceives people who are physically attractive as being exceedingly dominant, sociable, mentally healthy, warm, socially skilled, intelligent, and more importantly, successful (Wilson 2003), in relation to unattractive individuals. It is common for persons to attribute traits that are more favorable to individuals who appear attractive physically.
In addition, such individuals also tend to be associated with outcomes of life that are merely successful. According to Wilson (2003), attractive people have a better chance at either getting hired or being promoted. Further, attractive people stand a better chance of getting better salaries in comparison with their unattractive counterparts. Wilson (2003) has shown that attractive people tend to de exceedingly well in sales jobs, relative to unattractive individuals.
The earnings that might be expected out of a bargaining game are between eight and twelve percent more for the attractive people, concerning the earnings that unattractive people may expect. For this reason, attractive people tend to both expect and demand higher earnings compared to unattractive individuals (Wilson 2003).
Nevertheless, a 1985 research that was carried out by Heilman and Stopec found out that attractiveness could be a limiting factor to a woman occupying a management position in an organization. Additionally, the successful career of say, a male assistant to an organization’s senior manager, could be associated more with the capability and ability of such a man, if such a man is good-looking. On the other hand, connections and luck were seen to be associated more with the career success of a good-looking woman (Johnston 2001). Furthermore, the study also revealed that an attractive male is not only seen as having more integrity, but also tends to be more likable. Additionally, an attractive female was seen as having less integrity.
Within any one given society, there is a tendency for attractive people to be better adjusted, more intelligent, as well as more popular. According to available research, attractive people appear to experience occupational success, in addition to more experiences in dating, as compared to their unattractive counterparts (Johnston 2001). Another explanation that could be offered as to why attractive pole seems to be more successful in life could be that as individuals, we tend to routinely classify other people based on cultural stereotypes alone, without first assessing their personalities. Our cultural stereotypes have taught us to expect that attractive people should always be seen as good intrinsically, while unattractive people are depicted as being inherently bad.
Nonetheless, Elliot Aronson, who is a Stanford University social psychologist, believes that ‘self-fulfilling prophecies’ could be a contributing factor as far as the success of attractive people is concerned. This is because when the self-perception of an individual’s self-confidence is buoyed by positive and healthy feedback from others, this makes such people feel even more attractive (Wilson 2003), and so they seek to pursue success religiously.
Favoritism toward attractive people has been noted to apply to a lot of situations indeed, discriminations based on one’s appearance are known to have an impact on decisions on hiring a workforce, affect the performance of sales, as well as the judgment of the jury, among many other examples.
Purpose of the study
The purpose of this research study is to assess whether there exists a correlation between, on the one hand, success and on the other hand, attractive people. Societal stereotypes have led us to believe that successful people are by extension, also the beautiful ones. It is therefore the intention of this research study to evaluate this stereotype, and therefore come up with conclusive findings that shall either augment or dispel such a stereotype.
Problem statement
Our cultural orientation, coupled with its associated stereotype, has led us to accept that there exists a positive correlation between attractive people and success. For this reason, we have resigned to the idea that attractive people have an upper hand in terms of achieving success in life, be it socially or economically. On the other hand, the plight of unattractive people is put on hold, based on their physical appearance (Wilson 2003). Whereas research indicates that indeed the attractive people amongst us also tend to be the most successful, nevertheless this is more of a generalization of the human race.
Even when you are not attractive, but have the potential to be successful chances are that society will deny you the chance to prove what you are capable of achieving. The association between attractiveness and success may be seen to be more of a halo effect. In this case, a lot of the beautiful people get a lot of compliments about their looks, and this act reinforces their confidence (Worell 2001). Not only do they come to believe that they are beautiful, but also that they are successful. Conversely, an unattractive person will never be complimented, even when they strive hard to make an achievement. In essence, they tend to get demoralized, and may very well cease trying to be successful.
Significance
According to research findings, the more successful people are those amongst us that are also more attractive. By undertaking this research study, it is hoped that the findings shall help shed light on the issue of whether successful people also tend to be more attractive, compared to their unattractive counterparts.
Assumptions and limitations
- There is a relationship between an individual’s perception of intellectual competence and facial attractiveness
- Attractive individuals tend to be seen as being more competent intellectually, in comparison with less attractive individuals
- There is a connection between occupational potential perceptions and facial attractiveness
- Individuals that are attractive appear to be more successful in terms of persuading others, as opposed to less attractive persons
This research study was not without its own limitations. To start with, the time allocated for the carrying out of the study was quite limited. For this reason, the researcher could not gather as much research data as was desired beforehand. On the other hand, the financial constraint was another limiting factor.
Methodology
Purpose of the study
The purpose of this research study is to answer the question: Are more attractive people perceived to be more successful? Our society has led us to believe that attractive people are also successful. If this is the case, then it is the intention of this research study to assess this assertion, by undertaking both a qualitative and quantitative research study.
Setting & Population
The setting location for this research study was at the Arizona state university, as well as at the Phoenix sky harbor airport. In both of these locations, the researcher managed to survey 50 individuals from each these locations bringing the total to 100 people
Data Collection
According to Creswell (2008), when both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques are used to analyze and understand a given situation, then the researcher of such a technique could be said to be utilizing a mixed method. This kind of method provides a better understanding and more reliable results for the researcher. Quantitative research is mainly concerned with the quantification of the findings Qualitative research on the other hand is defined as a research strategy that emphasizes words rather than quantification in the collection and interpretation of the data.
The quantitative strategy applies a deductive approach whereas the qualitative strategy makes use of induction. The former aims to test a theory and the latter builds it. Qualitative research usually provides a more detailed and profound analysis of the specific situation. The openness between the parts is much higher than with the quantitative method which can facilitate the generation and creation of new theories. The participation of both parts is evident and they can discuss problems and explain uncertainties or ambiguities. This level of depth and detail is not achievable in quantitative research if the individual only answers closed questions.
For this particular study, this researcher made use of a research survey in the form of in-depth interviews for purposes of gathering data. The in-depth interviews shall in this case were self-administered. In-depth interviews have been seen to be valuable especially in a situation whereby the researcher wishes to acquire detailed information regarding the behavior and thoughts of an individual (Creswell 2008).
Data Compilation & Analysis
Once the data had been collected from the two locations, the research compiled it for purposes of analysis. The data were then entered manually into a computer. MS Excel software package was used for the generation of research findings, in readiness for reporting of the results.
Summary
This research study was concerned with the assessment of whether or not attractive people are also successful. To investigate this research question, it was deemed appropriate to undertake a research study to assess the validity of this claim. In light of this, in-depth interviews were undertaken with a total of 100 respondents, at both the Arizona state university and the Phoenix sky harbor airport. 50 respondents were surveyed from each of the two locations. The interview tool for data collection employed both the qualitative and quantitative techniques of research design. Once the data had been compiled, data analysis was done through the use of the MS Excel software package to yield research findings.
Works cited
Creswell, J.W 2008. Educational Research: Planning, Conducting and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research. (3rded). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Jackson, Linda. Physical appearance and gender: socio-biology and sociocultural. New York: SUNY Press, 1992.
Johnston, Jessica. The American body in context: an anthology. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2001.
Wilson, Margaret. Organizational behaviour and gender. Aldershot, London: Ashgate Publishing, 2003.
Worell, Judith. Encyclopedia of women and gender: sex similarities and differences. Aldershot, London: Ashgate Publishing, 2001.