Can Pretty People Have Their Cake and Eat it Too?
Positive and Negative Effects of Physical Attractiveness
.
Megan M. Schad, David E. Szwedo, Joanna M. Chango, Erin M. Miga, & Joseph P. Allen
University of Virginia
.
We would like to thank the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development
for funding awarded to Joseph P. Allen, Principal Investigator, (9 R01 HD058305-A11) for funding to conduct this study as well as for the write-up of this study.
Introduction
It has been well documented that physical attractiveness affects
behavior. Specifically, research indicates that people who interact with
attractive people treat them differently. Many studies have shown how
teachers give attractive children higher evaluations and also have higher
expectations for them (Fox, K., 1997). Similarly, attractive job applicants
have a better chance of getting jobs and receiving higher salaries.
Attractive people are found guilty less often than less attractive people.
Although the literature indicates how other people tend to act towards
attractive people, there is a lack of research about how physical
attractiveness predicts how individuals act towards others or behave
themselves.
This longitudinal, multi-reporter study examines the effects of
physical attractiveness on adolescents’ illicit drug use and romantic
relationship functioning later in adolescence, controlling for their peerperceived popularity.
Hypotheses
.
Physical Attractiveness will predict increased likelihood of having tried
marijuana four years later.
.
Physical attractiveness will predict better observed relationship quality
with romantic partner one year later.
.
Physical attractiveness will predict romantic partner report of less conflict
in the relationship four years later.
At Time 2, teen’s positive relatedness towards partner was assessed
during an observational revealed differences task.
At Time 3, Romantic partners’ report of conflict in the relationship was
measured using the Network of Relationships Inventory (Furman, 1996).
Teens’ and their best friends’ also reported ever having tried marijuana on
a measure adapted from the Monitoring the Future surveys (Johnston et
al., 2006).
Measures
.
Physical Attractiveness Coding System
Teen’s physical attractiveness was coded at Time 1 using a naïve coding system
(Schad & Allen, 2009, unpublished manuscript) in which no specific instruction
as to what to look for was given - coders personal ideas about physical
attractiveness were used as the basis of coding. Both males and females were
used on an ethnically diverse coding team (ICC = .89).
Similarly, more physically attractive teens at age 17 have friends who are also
more likely to have ever tried marijuana by age 21 (odds ratio = 1.58, p < .05;
Figure 1).
In contrast, results show that more physically attractive teens have better
quality romantic relationships. For instance, more attractive teens at age 17 are
behaving in a more positive manner with their romantic partners during an
argument (β = .29, p < .05; age 18). For example, these teens show more
collaboration, more warmth, and are more engagement with their romantic
partner. Moreover, the partners of more physically attractive teens report less
conflict in the relationship (β = -.24, p < .05) at age 21 (Figure 2).
.
Autonomy & Relatedness Coding System
Each adolescent-partner dyad participated in an 8-min videotaped task in which
they were presented with a hypothetical dilemma (dating court). They were then
asked to try to resolve any differences in their choices and to come up with a
consensus. The Autonomy-Relatedness Coding System for Peer Interactions was
adapted for use with romantic partner dyads to code these interactions (Allen et
al. 2001). The coding system employed (J. P. Allen et al. 2000, unpublished
manuscript, 1994) yields ratings for the adolescent’s overall behavior toward
their partner in the interaction, as well as for their partner’s overall behavior
toward them. The positive relatedness scale was used, which captures behaviors
indicating a warm and friendly interaction. Positive relatedness behaviors
include validating partner’s statements, being engaged with the task, and how
warm the teen is towards their partner. High scores on this scale indicate
increased frequency and intensity of behaviors promoting relatedness, whereas
low scores mean very few and low intensity behaviors promoting relatedness.
Note: * p < .05; ** p < .01; *** p < .001
Figure 1. Physical Attractiveness Predicting a Higher Likelihood that Teens Will Try Marijuana as well as
Have Friends Who Will Try Marijuana Four Years Later.
.
Method
Participants
Conflict in Relationships
Teens’ romantic partners’ at Time 3 reported the amount of conflict in the
relationship as measured by the Network of Relationships Inventory (Furman,
1996). This 3-item scale was reported on a 5-point Likert scale (α = .86).
.
 184 teenagers along with their best friends and romantic partners.
 58% Caucasian, 29% African American, and 13% Mixed or Other
ethnicity.
Average household income was within the $30,000 to $39,000 range.
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Target teen mean age was 17.32 years at Time 1, 18.30 at Time 2, and 21.66
at Time 3.
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Romantic partner mean age was 19.24 years at Time 2 and 22.27 at Time 3.
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Procedures
.
At Time 1, target teens’ physical attractiveness was coded at Time 1 using a
naïve coding system.
Marijuana Use
Teens completed a 36-item measure about their drug use. This measure was
adapted from the Alcohol and Drug Use Questionnaire used in the Monitoring
the Future surveys (Johnston et al. 1987, 2006). Marijuana use was assessed by
asking teens to report whether or not they had tried marijuana ever.
Results
Regression results suggest that, after controlling for effects of popularity,
teens who are rated by coders as more physically attractive at age 17 are more
likely to have ever tried marijuana by age 21 (odds ratio = 1.53, p < .05).
Note: * p < .05; ** p < .01; *** p < .001
Figure 2. Physical Attractiveness Predicting Better Quality Romantic Relationships One to Four
Years Later.
Conclusions
Thus, results indicate that: A) physical attractiveness is predictive of both
positive and negative outcomes later in adolescence; B) attractive people tend
to act more positively toward others; and C) physical attractiveness may
explain variance beyond popularity.