The Beauty Bias

Reference Post

This is a concept of some very extensive study, so I will explain the overarching qualities and speculations of the term.

The term is self-explanatory; we are biased towards things and people that are beautiful, at least as far as we perceive it. This ranges anywhere from things that are seen as cute and adorable, to physical attraction. Anything with a favorable appearance is subject to this concept.

Scope

The beauty bias isn't just a preference to be in the company of beautiful people. In a controlled test, with no objective difference between two people other than appearance, the more attractive individual is readily seen as smarter, kinder, and more talented; any perceived positive attributes are placed on them, despite having little or no proof. This may also extend to accents of beauty, such as hygiene, dress, speech, and so on.

While viewing some people in a positive light isn't necessarily a bad thing, the beauty bias also leads people to ascribe negative attributes to unattractive people. Rather than being not-as-smart as those with looks, unattractive people may be seen as outright dumb.

This mindset reinforces itself, because we will then look for information that confirms our beliefs, and attempt to disregard information that dispels it(i.e. confirmation bias).

Retrospective Beauty

While the mind places positive attributes on those it sees as beautiful, it also places beauty on those who have positive attributes. Talent, confidence, and charisma can have a strong say in how attractive people find you.

While this is a wonderful thing for those who get to know each other face-to-face, this has created a complication for the growing internet culture. People can form close relationships with those they've never seen before, and when the reveal comes, it can be terribly disappointing. The bias not only creates a high standard of expected beauty for the other person, but can see the other person's lack of beauty as a betrayal. By seeing that the person they've grown close to is unattractive, they may feel like they've been deceived. With the mentality that unattractive people have little or no good qualities, this reveal can actually obliterate trust.

Cause

Despite numerous theories, the exact cause of this bias has yet to be discovered. Blame biology; blame popular notion; blame the media; the bias is still there, and it manifests before we can even talk. The important matter is that regardless of what may have initiated this bias, it's ultimately our choice whether we perpetuate it or not.