Pretty Privilege

A small dive into pretty privilege and how it affects the modern world.

What is Pretty Privelege?

Pretty privilege is defined as the advantages that come from being attractive. Whether it’s landing a job with less experience, receiving leniency in punishments, or gaining social media followers with little effort, pretty privilege has shaped people’s opportunities in both the modern and pre-modern eras.

"The Halo Effect"

A key driver of pretty privilege is the halo effect, a term coined by psychologist Edward Thorndike in 1920, it describes a kind of psychological bias. This phenomenon leads people to associate physical beauty with positive qualities like intelligence, kindness, and competence. For example, studies have shown that attractive individuals are more likely to be viewed as capable leaders and trustworthy professionals, even without substantial evidence. However, this halo effect can also negatively affect pretty people. While beauty can cause good assumptions, it can also invite negative ones. Research has found that attractive people are sometimes perceived as vain and superficial. This just reveals how complex pretty privilege is.

Friendship

Attractiveness doesn’t just influence romantic relationships; it plays a significant role in friendships. Studies show that people are more likely to pursue friendships with those they deem physically attractive compared to those who are not. This bias is caused by pretty privilege, as people will perceive these people as more fun and interesting.

What is Beautiful?

I'm sure you’re wondering: what exactly is considered beautiful? While beauty is somewhat subjective, evolutionary biology offers some universal standards. Many evolutionary theorists have argued that physical attractiveness often reflects a person’s genetic quality, reproductive potential, and overall health. In ancient times, attractive traits (which we will discuss later) indicated physical fitness and fertility that were essential for survival at that time.

For women, traits like clear skin, a symmetrical face, and a lower waist-to-hip ratio are commonly deemed attractive. For men, a strong jawline, broad shoulders, and a deep voice often signify strength and appeal across cultures. Although we don’t think of beauty and romantic relationships as a necessity for reproduction, these biological cues remain ingrained in our preferences.

The Effects of Pretty Privilege

The privilege of being pretty may seem inconsequential, but its effect is anything but. In the workplace, attractive individuals often receive more favorable job evaluations and are promoted more frequently. In the court of law, studies have found that attractive defendants are judged less harshly and are more likely to avoid severe punishments compared to their less attractive counterparts.

On social media, this disparity is clearer than ever. Attractive individuals tend to gain followers more easily, the best example being Leah Halton, who won the “Video of the Year” award at the 2024 TikTok Creator of the Year Awards. Her lip-synching video amassed over 939 million views, becoming one of the most-viewed TikTok videos ever. This digital gratification and pedestalization of those deemed pretty reinforces societal beauty standards and can profoundly impact the self-esteem of those who feel they don’t measure up.

Concluding Thoughts

The reality of pretty privilege seems very disheartening, especially for those who struggle with self-love. However, recognizing this bias is the first step toward confronting it. By acknowledging the undue advantages tied to beauty, we can strive to ensure that more of a meritocratic society is upheld, not to have judgments and decisions based on outward appearance, but on skill.

Writer: Lisa

Resources

Cheney, Dina. “The Science Behind Why We Find Certain People Attractive.” mindbodygreen, 30 November 2019, https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/science-behind-why-we-find-certain-people-attractive.
Cherry, Kendra. “The Halo Effect in Psychology.” Verywell Mind, 15 July 2024, https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-halo-effect-2795906.
Cotti, Sol, and Sable Yong. “Pretty People Really Do Have It Better.” Time Magazine, 28 June 2024, https://time.com/6992138/pretty-privilege-essay/.
Davenport, Barrie. “13 Traits of a Conventionally Attractive Person.” Live Bold and Bloom, 15 June 2023, https://liveboldandbloom.com/06/self-awareness/conventionally-attractive.
“An Evolutionary Theory of Female Physical Attractiveness.” The International Honor Society In Psychology, 2006, https://www.psichi.org/page/103EyeSpringbSingh.
Travers, Mark. “A Psychologist Explains The 'Pretty Privilege' Paradox.” Forbes, 15 October 2023, https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2023/10/15/a-psychologist-explains-the-pretty-privilege-paradox/.

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