Less attractive people perform worse in terms of earnings, promotions, court appearances, and dating, for example. Now scientists claim that they are also at a disadvantage when it comes to life expectancy.
Researchers led by Daniel Hamermesh from the University of Texas looked at the long-term study “Wisconsin Longitudinal Study”. In it, more than 8,000 adults were followed since their School leaving certificate Observed in 1957. About half of them have since died. In addition to lifelong health data, yearbook photos were also collected.
These photos were rated for attractiveness. To do this, the researchers used “a carefully constructed measure of facial attractiveness.”
► For studies, approximately known proportion rules such as the Golden Ratio, which has a particularly harmonious effect on the human eye.
After assessing attractiveness, the research team examined when the subjects died. It was found that the least attractive people according to the measurement method Men lived on average almost eleven months shorter than their better-looking counterparts. Women the difference was even about one year and 11 months.
Two possible explanations
One possible explanation for the results is that unattractive-looking faces could be an indication that these people are already less healthy. In evolutionary psychology, there is a theory that smooth faces indicate people who are better able to Diseases to fight.
Daniel Hamermesh, however, believes that social effects are the more likely explanation. He points to the fact that few attractive people earn less. And studies show that people who earn less live shorter lives.
The good news: “If people stopped paying so much attention to appearance over time, I’m pretty sure that in 100 years we wouldn’t see these differences in life expectancy anymore,” Hamermesh is convinced.
The study was published in the journal “Social Science & Medicine”.