Do you generally give more preferential treatment to attractive people?

Question

I've been reading my social psych text, and it seems that attractive people are given pervasive advantages, even in things that shouldn't be about looks. Beautiful people earn more, recieve lighter jail sentences, are more likely to be employed and promoted, and are even percieved to be more intelligent and capable. But most people don't consciously realize they discriminate by attractiveness. Do you?

Answer 1

I do think people unconsciously discriminate against less attractive people. I've seen it in action. A computer program salesman came into our office and he really had to work hard to even get any attention because he was quite heavy and didn't wear correct clothing. Another salesman came in to "help" him - but was very nice looking. He immediately took over and people forgot the 1st salesman was even in the room.

I also witnessed the discrimination after I got lasik surgery - I wore "coke bottle" glasses - and people were very noticeably nicer to me after I got rid of the thick glasses.

It is true ---- unfortunately --- how do you recognize it at the moment and stop it? I try to give the underdog a little edge simply because I have been in that situation.

Answer 2

I certainly don't. I have learned my lesson. My dad is a cop, and so he is very judgmental on looks. And I've discovered that looks and appearance have nothing to do with the person inside. People who have come to job interviews who looked professional and yet they were the ones who bailed on the job. The person who looked sloppy who needed the money and really wanted to take care of a family worked much harder. I hate that people discriminate by the looks of someone. There are things that you do need to judge based on looks and so on but for the most part it's all about what is inside and I know that. But most people don't care. We live in a world that is unfair and it probably will never change.

Answer 3

Yes, yes, and yes! Only when you aware of that can you change. But it is true! First impressions leave a really long lasting impression. To all of us who have the benefit of seeing, we all make judgements. You can't help it, so don't say you don't. Humans also prefer the familiar. Managers or HR are most likely to hire someone that reminds them of themselves. That has to do with it as well. I also think that attractive is in your head. If you have confidence and buy clothes that fit you and your lifestyle, that's what comes through.
Just think about this, if Steve Buscemi comes up to you to ask you for directions while you're in the middle of nowhere are you going to be extra nice to him? Or if George Clooney approaches you and askes for directions, then what? (this is as if you don't know who they are...) 90% of people would be kinder to Clooney, hands down. I don't doubt it. Only the people who make conscious efforts to treat people equally do.
Even kids do this in the playground. most of them will make very quick judgements on any one with abnormalities and they are not affraid to speak their opinion on the matter.
I no longer do that, well at least, I try not to. I treat everyone with the upmost respect. I expect them all to have intellect and intelligence unless they prove me otherwise.
By the way, people are nicer to me as a blonde, but speak much more slowly... Go figure.

Answer 4

i'd say i do it.... but dont like having to admit it :-)....i'm reading in an animal psych text and it turns out that that kind of behavior is straight up nature. animals do it too.... the peacock with the best feathers gets the girl, the baboon with the redest butt has the women, and the rabbit with the bigger ears....u get the point. humans are no different in this nature. its not necessarily "preferential" treatment, its just that things more pleasing in sight are prefered, whether it be people, cuter pet dogs, a cleaner beach, a brighter sunset, whatever.... its natual, everyone does it, few admit it

Answer 5

I believe that we as human beings want to surround ourselves with attractive people. Thus it only makes sense that we should do everything in our power to keep those that we deem attractive in our presence. However... physical attractiveness is not the only trait that we desire to surround ourselves with. Thus I find I often give preferential treatment to those who are entertaining, or those who are handy to have around should I require assitance. So, if you're ugly, not funny, and cant fix things or move heavy objects why would I want you around?

Answer 6

properly certain a touch. yet extremely some human beings are open minded and attempt no longer to judge by skill of visual charm.regularly once you've a good body of recommendations and personality human beings will act an same in course of you as different, possibly prettier human beings. yet I agree. i imagine human beings imagine better suited of better appealing human beings.

Answer 7

Yea but usually people who look good have money to make themselves that way by buying expensive makeup, haircuts, tans, and clothes. So a fair generalization: good looks = money = power

Answer 8

yes its the way the world works, i notice if I'm well dressed one day people fall over themselves to help me, lately it seems no matter what i am wearing or how my hair is that day i get better treatment then say a fat person or someone who is not good looking, sad but true........

Answer 9

It shouldn't be this way but it seems that it is a common discremental problem all over the world....

Answer 10

Yes it is a universal problem that's become a habit to all