Why do the "pretty people" succeed more often in life than do average-looking people?

Question

Why do average-looking people often get the short end of the stick when it comes to raises, jobs, mates, and special treatment, even though what they might have to offer far outweighs the superficial qualities found within "good looks?"

Answer 1

Non-believers of evolution...turn away now. The following may upset you:

Beauty is a sign of health, as is clear skin, muscular build, good teeth, etc. Homo sapiens have it burned into their DNA to seek out healthy specimens for breeding, because breeding with healthy people gives you the best chance to actually conceive and deliver a baby that is strong enough to survive and do it all over again (whether we consciously realize this or not).

By selecting only healthy breeders, we don't waste time but more importantly our energy (since the whole goal is to reproduce to extend our DNA for as long as possible, and conserving energy promotes our personal survival).

So even though society has changed over the last 30, 50, 100 years, evolution does not work nearly as fast. Not by a long shot. To change our instincts, you would either have to either selectively breed people with the traits desired (eugenics), or you would have to introduce some environmental pressure that favors the survival of those with the trait desired. (Just like fast predators have driven their prey to become fast runners and have camouflage, etc.)

But in today's world, that's less and less possible. We've invented medicine, healthy diets, mental exercise, modern conveniences, etc. that help the weaker or ill-equipped to survive in this world (people that would have died out in a state of nature). So there are much fewer environmental factors driving the evolution of our species in any given direction...we're just kinda staying in the same melting pot.

Therefore, we're living in a sophisticated enough age where beauty *shouldn't* be such a big factor in attraction and decisions (since selecting mates who can successfully breed viable babies is -- or should be -- much less of an issue now than it was when we were all man-apes running around the world nekked, given modern conveniences and technology); yet, our instincts and preferences (whether subconscious or conscious) have not changed much, if at all, in thousands of years (other than those preferences that are learned).

That's why people still cheat on their partners, we get into fights and wars, we hate people who don't look/act like us (tribe mentality; it's life-preserving), we're afraid of new experiences....and why the pretty people have it on Easy Street. We still favor them for jobs, as mates, etc....until they get old and wrinkly, at which point karmic justice is served.

P.S. This is the same reason why ugly people with a lot of money also get together with partners way out of their league: having that kind of earning power trumps (pun intended) looks in terms of ability to survive in the world. Sorry, Donald.

Answer 2

"Pretty people" may have more superficial success. On the surface, certain people may seem to have the perfect life. But how do you really define success? If it looks good on the outside but is hollow inside, how valuable is that success?

An example: a pretty but mindless & essentially talentless girl (let's call her Britney) becomes a rich singer. She's a marketable product & does well as such. She isn't very happy. She's actually quite disturbed. She's a product of the media & has no substance aside from that. She starts to wonder who she really is & isn't happy with herself. All the money on earth can't buy her happiness. She makes bad relationship & life choices. Gets involved with drinking/drugs. Is she really a success?

Meanwhile a less attractive but brilliant & very talented girl, lets call her Edith, struggles to eke out a living as a singer/songwriter. She plays bars etc but doesn't have "the look" or marketability that record companies are looking for. Still, she has a number of fans, records an indie CD and sells many copies. She still works another job & plays music in her spare time. She loves writing & creating music & is doing what she wants. She's happy with herself.

Which of these is a success? I'd say Edith, though financially she's not wealthy, she's happy with herself & doing what she loves. Britney is a mess. Too much money & fame based on superficial things has made her lost & confused.

Yes, we are a visual society & people tend to prefer attractive people. Their looks may be an advantage in many situations. If two people have equal qualifications but one is more attractive, they'll probably get the job. Also, people who are attractive on the outside may have more confidence which is another asset. People who feel that they are less attractive may be insecure which will be to their detriment in the world. Confidence is a very powerful tool.

The important thing to remember is, yes, it may be a shallow world. It may not always be fair. It may be superficial & cruel & many other things. There isn't much you can do about that. What you can do is be happy with who you are. Love yourself. Be proud of your strengths, acknowledge your weaknesses. Don't beat yourself up. We're all different & we all have something unique to offer. The best measure of success is happiness. Be happy with who you are, do what you love to do & then you're better off than most people! A pretty person in a pretty mansion isn't necessarily successful or happy. They may be drug addicts, cheating on spouses, feeling lonely & confused & feeling like a fraud because their entire life is on the surface & they feel hollow inside...It's what's inside that really matters. All that glitters is not gold...

Answer 3

Extrapolation is at work.

If a person looks "pretty": I hate that word lets use "physically beautiful", its probably what you really mean, on the out side it is easy to assume that they are beautiful in their health, work and play.

Without other knowledge it is easy to persuade oneself that a beautiful (male or female) person is actually more honest and better company.

There is a biological reasoning to this. Evolution (as in survival of the fittest) logically leads to more successful specimens of our species. There are quantifiable measures of which morphology of a face and body that we find attractive. This cannot be denied. Too many people when questioned give similar responses to questions about this.

It follows that if we find a person physically attractive we find them attractive per se. It's not entirely logical but it is understandable.

There is also a reverse psychology at work (please don't ask for my psychological qualifications - this is anecdotal evidence only). Often, if someone is not physically attractive it may well be assumed that he or she is less likely to be distracted from work and may well be chosen above others for responsibility. There they still have a greater difficulty than the "pretty" ones to be further promoted unless they prove indispensable to profit.

Perhaps profit is the one motive more important than looks.

For me intelligent conversation, picnics and camping and a good tumble every night beats the hell out of a woman off the catwalk who spends more time with make up than making life.

Answer 4

Part of that comes from what the employer (or person that is in the position to affect one's career) is valuing more. We all do not share the same set of values when it comes to judging people.

Sometimes it just isn't enough to be skilled; other times, it could just be something about that skillful person that does not catch an employer's value. Might be looks, or it might be their personality. There is no such thing as the perfect combination to succeed; many people have taken different paths, with a different set of values that they personally offer.

Answer 5

That is an illusion. Just as many pretty people are losers and just as many average people are winners. It just the pretty people are seized upon because the have the best of both. If you through a good brain in with that, then you have a sensation.

Answer 6

You can be a millionaire and still not be successful. Ever hear of a depressed famous person? If you're depressed, it doesn't matter how rich you are, you're not successful.

So as for being pretty and getting noticed, that's basically like putting your soul out there for someone to steal and make money off of.

Sorry, but wisdom is the only thing that one really needs in this world.

Answer 7

This old saying puts it best.
" I'd rather have a beautiful stupid daughter, than a smart ugly one. " Sad truth of humanity. We have been brainwashed by the media outlets. Simply look at music. Before Mtv musicians were fairly,ummm, unattractive if you will (But much more talented in my opinion). Now they have to be beautiful and lacking, shall we say, artistic merit. We all care more about beauty than even are own health. ie, binge-purge etc.

Answer 8

I feel like I agree that society's values are too focused on physical appearance, however I also have to point out that A) society's definition of successful=rich, and rich poeple generally have more recources and time available to them to spend on looking good.

also, B) I think that people who are not successful are either not aware that society fixates so much on appearance or not willing to play by society's rules, and either way, this means that they will not put as much effort into appearance as someone who sees their success as dependant upon their physical appearance.

Answer 9

It is a fact thta good looking people have greater success, but that is just a correlation, and that does not infer causation. Think about what comes along with being attractive, confidence. people who are confident are more likely to step forward and be seen, and take risks. also it is easier to deal with people if you are attractive, most people automatically like you and will do things for you.

Answer 10

Because we judge on appearance. However this doesn't apply for college, or for multi-billion dollar company founding.

For the first, go to a college, and check ou the profiles of the people who got in. Probably quite a few "uglies" in there.

For the second, check out Bill Gate's hair. And he was married before he started the company if I remember...