The Impact of Pretty Privilege on American Culture
Pretty privilege can be harmful regardless of where you are on the spectrum of attractiveness. It speaks to the importance of fostering a culture that values diversity and inclusivity of all people.
So you’ve heard the term “pretty privilege”, but what it is really and how might it affect you?
Pretty privilege is a term that encapsulates the societal advantages that individuals deemed attractive by conventional standards often experience. These privileges can manifest in various ways, such as receiving more positive attention, being treated more favorably in professional and social settings, or even being perceived as more competent or trustworthy. These dynamics are deeply rooted in societal standards of beauty, which are often narrow, exclusionary, and shaped by media and cultural norms.
Societal standards of beauty create a hierarchy where those who fit the mold of attractiveness are rewarded, while those who do not are marginalized or overlooked. This can impact everything from job opportunities to social interactions, perpetuating inequalities that are both subtle and pervasive. The privileges associated with being deemed attractive can also reinforce harmful stereotypes and unrealistic expectations, further entrenching these societal norms.
One reason pretty privilege is not spoken about very much is that it can be an uncomfortable topic. Acknowledging that some people benefit from their appearance while others are disadvantaged challenges the notion of meritocracy, where success is supposedly based solely on hard work and talent. Additionally, discussions about beauty and attractiveness are often seen as subjective, which can make it difficult to frame them as societal issues rather than personal opinions. While it may seem that one’s opinions about attractiveness are their own, the fields of psychology and sociology tell us that our opinions are often guided by societal and cultural norms. If you look at standards of beauty across different cultures or even different periods of time, one can see how those standards are shared by the cultural zeitgeist. Often individuals in the same culture and time period tend to hold the same viewpoints. In short, our subjective viewpoints aren’t intrinsically our own; they’re impacted by the standards set forth by society at large.
Studies have looked into the impact of pretty privilege to demonstrate how significant this bias is. A 2021 study examined the stereotype that “beauty is good” and found that attractive individuals were perceived to have more moral traits than unattractive individuals. Similarly, another study showed that attractive individuals are thought to be more trustworthy than others. This may be attributable to a psychological bias, the “halo effect,” wherein someone who is perceived positively in one aspect is assumed to have other positive qualities as well.
A meta-analysis by Hosoda, Stone-Romero, and Coats found that physical attractiveness positively influences job-related outcomes, including hiring decisions, performance evaluations, and promotions. Research consistently shows that individuals perceived to be more attractive are more likely to be hired, promoted, and receive higher salaries. Studies suggest that attractive individuals are often perceived as more competent, confident, and capable leaders. For example, a study by Berggren, Jordahl, and Poutvaara found that political candidates who were considered more attractive were more likely to receive votes, irrespective of their policies or experience.
Pretty privilege inherently harms those perceived as less attractive by creating prejudice, decreasing opportunities for success, and impacting their mental health as a result. Pretty privilege can also harm those who are deemed attractive and reap the benefits. For example, pretty privilege overemphasizes attractiveness on a person’s value which can negative impact an individual’s relationship with their self and body. The loss or absence of this privilege may fuel feelings of inadequacy or low self-esteem. This highlights how pretty privilege can be harmful regardless of where you are on the spectrum of attractiveness. It speaks to the importance of fostering a culture that values diversity and inclusivity of all people.
It's crucial that we talk about "pretty privilege" more openly. By recognizing how these dynamics operate, we can be more aware of this bias and begin to challenge narrow standards of beauty. To start these conversations, it’s important to frame them in the context of broader discussions about equity, diversity, and inclusion. We can ask questions like, "How do societal standards of beauty impact our perceptions and treatment of ourselves and others?" or "In what ways can we expand our understanding of beauty to be more inclusive and less harmful?"
By approaching the topic with empathy and a willingness to listen, we can create space for a more nuanced and honest dialogue about how pretty privilege affects individuals and society as a whole. This can ultimately lead to a more inclusive understanding of beauty, where all bodies are valued and respected.
Written by Erika Bent, LMFT, LPCC, CEDS-S
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References:
Berggren, N.; Jordahl, H.; Poutvaara, P. (2010). The right look: Conservative politicians look better and voters reward it. Journal of Public Economics Volume 146, February 2017, Pages 79-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2016.12.008
Klebl, C., Rhee, J.J., Greenaway, K.H. et al. Beauty Goes Down to the Core: Attractiveness Biases Moral Character Attributions. J Nonverbal Behav 46, 83–97 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10919-021-00388-w
Hosoda, S.; Coats, G. (2003) The effects of physical attractiveness on job-related outcomes: A meta-analysis of experimental studies. Personnel Psychology 56(2):431 - 462 DOI:10.1111/j.1744-6570.2003.tb00157.x
Mobius, Markus, M., and Tanya S. Rosenblat. 2006. "Why Beauty Matters." American Economic Review, 96 (1): 222–235.DOI: 10.1257/000282806776157515
Todorov, A.; at al. (2009). Evaluating Faces on Trustworthiness After Minimal Time Exposure. Social Cognition. Vol 27. No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1521/soco.2009.27.6.813