Our preconceptions of the world and the way that we judge others have changed. The instant interconnection makes our world smaller. Nowadays, even isolated places can access news from almost everywhere on the planet. The sense of nationality tends to disappear in this “global village” and a sort of common mind seems to replace the isolated thinking. In this context, people constantly move from one point to another of the world. Immigrants are attracted towards developed countries looking for new opportunities of progress but language barriers and cultural clashes affect the settlement process of new arrivals (Ward & Masgoret, 2008). Certainly, these two factors do not explain the multiple reasons why some groups of immigrants are more successful than others in the settlement. With this in mind, the current report intends to put forth the concept of beauty as another way to understand why some societies accept, prefer and trust some ethnicities.
By categorical thinking, persons attach values and characteristics to certain types of people that comply with their own particular categories. These patterns are the normal response to predict behaviour in unfamiliar environments (McShane, Olekanlns, & Travaglione, 2010). These mental models deliver real or illusionary consistency on how to react in front of certain people or group of people with specific characteristics. These reactions support a person’s self-concept and keep him/her-self in perceived emotional “safe-ground” (sense of control in unfamiliar situations). Moreover it helps to maintain a low level of stress and a high level of self-esteem (McShane et al., 2010).
As we can see, familiarity is an important reason to explain why people conduct themselves in some particular ways. Beauty and physical preferences are not exempted of this behaviour. Some studies have shown that the concept of beauty is the biological response to avoid diseases and contagion, due to attractiveness is instinctively associated with healthy bodies (Little, Jones, & DeBruine, 2011). Other investigations have shown that beauty is deeply rooted in our minds because of cultural and sociological influences (Hamermesh & Biddle, 1994). For instance, children are directed on how to conceptualise beauty from an early age. For example, investigations have found that fairy tales create a strong connection between beauty, rewards and economics privileges, particularly “for young, virtuous and white women”. Conversely, “ugliness is always punished” (Baker-Sperry & Grauerholz, 2003).
These perceptions are unconsciously carried on until the adult life, linking beauty with good health, happiness and talent (Kwan & Trautner, 2009). These preconceptions are transferred to other ambits of the social life like education, work and marriage. Many investigations have proven that beautiful people earn between 10 to 15 percent more than below-average-beauty co-workers (Hamermesh and Biddle, as cited in Mobious and Rosenblat, 2006). Moreover, attractive people are given “the benefit of the doubt” (Mobious & Rosenblat, 2006), meaning they have always another opportunity (second chance) to improve and are expected to excel during group interaction (Andreoni & Petrie, 2008). Other studies have found that beautiful people have greater peer acceptance and more access to opportunities of success (Dion and Berscheid, 1974; Kleck et al., 1974 as cited in Kwan and Trautner, 2009). Accordingly, reality shows that attractive salespersons are more successful than less-attractive-peers, therefore employers tend to hire beautiful people in front desk positions (The Economist, 2011a).
It is clear that beauty is not restricted to any particular gender but is especially evident in females. For instance, Dellinger and Williams (as cited in Kwan and Trautner, 2009) found that “women feel they need to make-up to appear healthy, heterosexual and competent in the workplace”. Moreover, Catherine Hakim (as cited in The Economist, 2011b) found that “women consider their look as a key factor in their self-image”. This author goes a step further by defining “erotic capital” as an economic asset comprised by beauty, sex appeal, self-presentation, social skills and sexual competences. This asset is more female oriented but does not exclude males. This study also states that erotic capital is important for success at the workplace and is recommended to be used by poor people, young individuals, newly arrived and unqualified members of the workforce (The Economist, 2011b), as a tool to “climb the corporate ladder” and compete in the labour market.
All the abovementioned facts suggest that beauty has a significant influence on decision-makers when choosing between a beautiful or non-beautiful employee. It is clear that attractiveness will be favourably preferred over unattractiveness. As the saying goes, “nice girls do not get the corner office” is still valid in our modern society.
Some practical activities are recommended to strengthening the concepts of common society and culture. For example, investigations suggest that an increase in multicultural contacts, tend to reduce prejudice, creating positive perceptions towards new residents, building cooperation and sense of equality among society (Ward & Masgoret, 2008). Also, as Pettigrew and Tropp asserted (as cited in Ward and Masgoret, 2008), it is important to develop instances of common participation, sharing experiences, creating the sense of friendship and neighbourliness. Cultural assimilation and absorption of unskilled immigrant by the labour market are also effective measures to develop integration.
- Thank you for challenging us to think outside the box
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