- Attractive people are often deemed more trustworthy than others, new research from emlyon business school confirms.
- However, the researchers also found that even attractive people themselves fall foul of beauty bias
- The findings have serious implications for the workplace, where attractive people are often given more leniency because of their looks
Until recently, Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan were this year’s power couple, both excelling in their respective careers.
Carpenter is currently travelling around the world on her sold-out Short N’ Sweet tour, and Keoghan has gained global recognition for his memorable role in Saltburn last year.
But the couple made headlines for other, less positive reasons recently, as rumours came out that Keoghan cheated on Carpenter. The aftermath led to Carpenter fans harassing Keoghan and his family, leading him to deactivate his Instagram and accuse fans of “crossing a line” by knocking on his grandmother’s door.
But why was this celebrity breakup so shocking? Particularly when Keoghan reportedly left his long-term girlfriend and young son in 2023, shortly before dating Carpenter?
It goes without saying that Carpenter and Keoghan are objectively both attractive individuals. But, according to new research by emlyon business school, University of Lyon, Université Côte d’Azur, and Osaka University, this may have been a reason that Carpenter should’ve been more cautious.
Though being attractive can have plenty of benefits, there’s also a more sinister truth to beauty bias, according to new research by emlyon business school, University of Lyon, Université Côte d’Azur, and Osaka University.
The research revealed that attractive individuals are consistently perceived as more trustworthy, regardless of whether their behaviour supports that perception.
A Fresh Approach to Studying Trust and Beauty
Previous studies on the relationship between beauty and trustworthiness relied on simplistic methods, such as asking participants to judge the trustworthiness of faces shown in portrait databases or computer-generated images.
These approaches, the researchers say, often lacked a direct connection to real-world behaviour. To address this gap, their study involved a more sophisticated experiment that combined behavioural observation with subjective perception.
A total of 357 volunteers participated in a “hidden action” game, designed to measure actual trustworthiness. During the game, participants made decisions that revealed their propensity to act in trustworthy ways.
Photographs were taken of all participants, which were later presented to 178 new volunteers. These individuals were tasked with predicting the behaviour of those depicted in the photos. A third group of participants, meanwhile, rated the attractiveness of the individuals in the photographs.
The results were striking. Those deemed more attractive were also perceived as more trustworthy. However, this perceived trustworthiness had no correlation with their actual behaviour in the trust game. In other words, beauty influenced people’s perceptions, but it bore no relation to reality.
Beauty Bias: A Universal Phenomenon
An especially noteworthy finding was that beauty bias affects everyone, regardless of their own level of attractiveness. Even attractive individuals – who might be presumed to be more aware of the fact that it pays to look beyond a pretty face – were equally prone to assuming that good looks equate to trustworthiness.
“Our research shows that the beauty industry is certainly thriving for a reason, but also that this creates an additional layer of inequalities and unjustified benefits to those judged as attractive,” says Astrid Hopfensitz, a professor at emlyon business school and one of the co-authors of the study. It seems even the likes of Sabrina Carpenter can fall foul of beauty bias, despite being afforded its privileges.
The Professional Implications of Beauty Bias
The implications of this research extend well beyond social psychology and into the workplace. Previous studies have already shown that attractive individuals enjoy significant advantages in their careers, including higher salaries, faster promotions, and better job opportunities.
This study adds a new layer to these insights, revealing how unfounded perceptions of trustworthiness further compound these advantages.
In a professional setting, these biases can have serious consequences. Recruiters, managers, and decision-makers who subconsciously associate attractiveness with trustworthiness risk making flawed judgments about candidates and employees.
This can result in unfair hiring practices and missed opportunities for individuals who may be equally or more qualified but lack conventional attractiveness.
To counteract these biases, organisations should adopt measures that neutralise the influence of beauty on decision-making. Anonymous CVs and photo-free applications are two practical steps that can help level the playing field.
Such measures ensure that candidates are evaluated based on their skills, experience, and qualifications rather than their physical appearance.
Addressing Broader Inequalities
The ramifications of beauty bias are not confined to the professional sphere. In everyday life, the tendency to equate attractiveness with trustworthiness can reinforce harmful stereotypes and perpetuate systemic inequalities.
Attractive individuals may receive unwarranted advantages in areas ranging from social interactions to legal judgments, while those who do not conform to conventional beauty standards may face unwarranted scepticism or distrust.
This research serves as a reminder that appearances can be deceiving and that our judgments should be grounded in objective criteria rather than superficial impressions.
As the researchers point out, awareness is the first step towards mitigating the effects of beauty bias. By recognising the subconscious role that attractiveness plays in our decision-making, we can begin to address the inequalities it perpetuates.
Looking Ahead
This study underscores the enduring influence of physical appearance on human behaviour and perception. While the findings highlight a pervasive and deep-rooted bias, they also offer a pathway towards change.
By fostering awareness of beauty bias and implementing measures to counteract it, individuals and organisations alike can work towards a fairer and more equitable society.
Trust, after all, should be earned through actions, not assumed based on appearances. By embracing this principle, we can move closer to a world where everyone is judged on their true merits, rather than the surface-level traits that so often mislead us.
By, Peter Remon
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