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- Title
Maxims or myths of beauty? A meta-analytic and theoretical review.
- Authors
Langlois, J H; Kalakanis, L; Rubenstein, A J; Larson, A; Hallam, M; Smoot, M
- Abstract
Common maxims about beauty suggest that attractiveness is not important in life. In contrast, both fitness-related evolutionary theory and socialization theory suggest that attractiveness influences development and interaction. In 11 meta-analyses, the authors evaluate these contradictory claims, demonstrating that (a) raters agree about who is and is not attractive, both within and across cultures; (b) attractive children and adults are judged more positively than unattractive children and adults, even by those who know them; (c) attractive children and adults are treated more positively than unattractive children and adults, even by those who know them; and (d) attractive children and adults exhibit more positive behaviors and traits than unattractive children and adults. Results are used to evaluate social and fitness-related evolutionary theories and the veracity of maxims about beauty.
- Publication
Psychological bulletin, 2000, Vol 126, Issue 3, p390
- ISSN
0033-2909
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1037/0033-2909.126.3.390