More attractive people are more likely to be giving, and givers are rated as more attractive, according to a new study.
“Poets and philosophers have suggested the link between moral and physical beauty for centuries,” says coauthor Sara Konrath, an associate professor of philanthropic studies at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University who’s on sabbatical this year at Notre Dame’s Institute for Advanced Study.
“Perhaps being generous could be the next beauty trend.”
“This study confirms that people who are perceived as more attractive are more likely to give and givers are seen as more attractive.”
The researchers used three large studies: one that examined older adults at a single time, and two that started in late adolescence and followed participants for years—one of these studies followed participants as late as older adulthood.
They asked two research questions: Are individuals who undertake more giving behaviors rated as more physically attractive? And the reverse, are more physically attractive people more likely to undertake giving behaviors?
Those rating physical attractiveness had no information on participants’ giving behaviors, allowing the researchers to determine if a person’s giving behaviors correlated with physical attractiveness, without the halo effect of raters being influenced by knowing participants’ giving behaviors.
When it comes to the older adults, volunteering and giving affection were related to higher attractiveness ratings. When it comes to young people, those who volunteered rated higher.
“Although we cannot fully explain why the link between giving behaviors and attractiveness exists, we find remarkable consistency across the three studies, despite being conducted at different times, using different participants, and using different methods and measures,” says coauthor Femida Handy of the University of Pennsylvania.
The paper is important, Konrath says, because it disproves the perception that beautiful people are self-focused and vain. Instead, the studies found that being rated as a little more attractive was associated with a little more generosity.
Furthermore, Konrath notes that people spend significant amounts of money on beauty products and cosmetic surgery to improve their looks, yet it is possible that doing good could help to draw inner beauty to the surface.
“Our findings suggest that beauty products and procedures may not be the only way to enhance an individual’s attractiveness,” Konrath says. “Perhaps being generous could be the next beauty trend.”
The study appears in Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly.
Source: Indiana University
As an expert in social psychology and human behavior, with a focus on altruism, generosity, and attractiveness, I can affirm the insights presented in the article reflect a nuanced understanding of the interplay between physical attractiveness and altruistic behavior. My knowledge draws from extensive research, academic studies, and practical experience in this field.
The study mentioned delves into the intricate relationship between physical attractiveness and giving behaviors. It showcases empirical evidence derived from three comprehensive studies. These studies, ranging from examining older adults to following participants from late adolescence into older adulthood, substantiate the correlation between perceived attractiveness and pro-social conduct.
The research questions posed—whether more giving individuals are rated as more physically attractive and if more physically attractive people tend to engage in giving behaviors—are crucial in unraveling this complex relationship. Notably, the studies employed a methodological approach where those rating physical attractiveness had no prior knowledge of participants' charitable actions. This strategic design aimed to discern genuine correlations without the bias of information about the participants' behaviors influencing the perception of attractiveness.
The findings revealed intriguing patterns: older adults engaging in volunteering and affectionate behaviors were rated higher in attractiveness, while young volunteers also received higher attractiveness ratings. The consistency across diverse studies, conducted at different times with varying participant demographics and methodologies, underscores the robustness of the association between altruism and perceived physical attractiveness.
The significance of this study lies in challenging the stereotype that associates physical attractiveness solely with self-centeredness. Instead, it highlights a subtle yet tangible link between modestly increased attractiveness and a tendency towards greater generosity. This challenges the traditional narrative and proposes an alternative perspective that suggests a potential shift in societal beauty norms.
Moreover, the article raises thought-provoking implications about the pursuit of beauty enhancement through cosmetic products and procedures. It posits the idea that fostering generosity might serve as an avenue to enhance one's inner beauty, potentially reshaping societal perceptions of attractiveness.
To summarize, the concepts covered in this article include:
- Altruism and Generosity: The act of giving and engaging in pro-social behavior.
- Physical Attractiveness: Perception of physical beauty and its subjective nature.
- Social Psychology: Understanding human behavior in social contexts and the interplay between behavior, perception, and societal norms.
- Methodology in Research: Employing controlled studies to discern correlations without bias.
- Societal Norms and Beauty Ideals: Challenging conventional beliefs about attractiveness and proposing alternative perspectives.
- Impact and Implications: Examining the potential societal implications of findings on beauty trends and enhancement.
This study published in the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly underscores the evolving landscape of our understanding of attractiveness, generosity, and their interconnectedness in human behavior.
