It goes without saying that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. But what exactly comprises a person's definition of beauty, or in more general terms, attractiveness?
Physical appearance unsurprisingly plays a role in determining a person's level of attractiveness. Recent studies, however, have shown that personality also significantly influences perceived attractiveness. These studies reveal that by having appealing personality traits, a person will become more attractive to others regardless of looks. In a study conducted by professors at Monmouth University in New Jersey , researchers tested the influence of personality information on judgments of physical attractiveness. During the study, subjects were told to assess photos first based solely on physical looks, said Gary Lewandowski, assistant professor at Monmouth University and one of the researchers who conducted the study. The photos were then associated with specific personality traits, and the subjects were again asked to assess them.
"Personality matters because it is an indication of how good a friend they would be," Lewandowski said. "A better friend would make them more likely to date, and thus possibly find attractive." First-year Engineering student Cam Butler said he believes the study is accurate. He said personality is the most important factor for him when interacting with girls and entering relationships.\n"If I find a girl's personality more appealing, she would just be more beautiful to me," Butler said. "If I was more interested in them as a dating partner, I'd always be friends with them first. That's the easiest way to build a substantial relationship."
At Lund University , psychology professors performed a study that tested how memory retention relates to physical attractiveness. During the study, participants could more easily remember persons who possessed favorable personality traits and were physically attractive. Participants could also easily remember persons who were unattractive but paired with unfavorable traits. It was more difficult for participants to remember people who were physically unattractive with favorable personality traits or physically attractive with unfavorable personality traits. The study further indicated personality has the potential to increase or decrease one's level of physical appeal.
"You can take care of your appearance, but being a better person would make you more attractive," Lewandowski said. "Maybe you don't need plastic surgery, maybe you just need to be a better person"
Read More
U.Va. students and physicians team up for another year of free kidney screenings
By Merrill Hart | November 5, 2024Saturday’s screening marked the first by KDSAP at Portico Church, near IX Art Park.
U.Va. Health sees a spike in COVID-19 cases
By Emily Horn | September 4, 2023U.Va. Health ended their vaccination requirements in August, and masks were made optional in most hospital areas in early April.
U.Va. Cancer Center harnesses $12 million grant to support opportunities for undergraduates, ongoing research and new center
By Ellen Wu | January 12, 2023The grant provides an opportunity to establish the Center for Systems Analysis of Stress-Adapted Cancer Organelles, which seeks to find the cause of cancer in individual organelles.
