Physical Attractiveness and Expectations of Success

Abstract

To examine the relationship between physical attractiveness and expectations of success, 60 women rated their expected success at social and nonsocial tasks and their physical attractiveness. Observers also judged the women's overall and facial physical attractiveness. Self and observers' overall ratings of physical attractiveness correlated positively with success expectations in social situations. These ratings of physical attractiveness were particularly predictive of success expectations for affective relationships, but less predictive of success expectations for tasks requiring manipulative, skilled, or intellectual abilities. A lifespan developmental explanation of the forces of reciprocal determinism was offered as an interpretation of these results.