The DOI matches its Crossref record; 299 of the 299 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Maxims or myths of beauty? A meta-analytic and theoretical review
Abstract
Common maxims about beauty suggest that attractiveness is not important in life. In contrast, both fitness-related evolutionary theory and socialization theory suggest that attractiveness influences development and interaction. In 11 meta-analyses, the authors evaluate these contradictory claims, demonstrating that (a) raters agree about who is and is not attractive, both within and across cultures; (b) attractive children and adults are judged more positively than unattractive children and adults, even by those who know them; (c) attractive children and adults are treated more positively than unattractive children and adults, even by those who know them; and (d) attractive children and adults exhibit more positive behaviors and traits than unattractive children and adults. Results are used to evaluate social and fitness-related evolutionary theories and the veracity of maxims about beauty.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“Physical attractiveness is one of the most powerful demographic variables known to science (Langlois et al., 2000), and it is substantially genetic (Gangestad & Scheyd, 2005).”
From A process-based approach to psychological diagnosis and treatment:The conceptual and treatment utility of an extended evolutionary meta model (2020) · cites this paper as Langlois et al., 2000
Citations
Cites
Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences
Muller, K. (1989) · Technometrics · doi:10.1080/00401706.1989.10488618 · Cited by 99,167
Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences
(1990) · Computers, Environment and Urban Systems · doi:10.1016/0198-9715(90)90050-4 · Cited by 65,269
Advances In Experimental Social Psychology
(2022) · Advances in Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/s0065-2601(22)x0002-6 · Cited by 22,259
The descent of man and selection in relation to sex
(1907) · The Journal of the Anthropological Society of Tokyo · doi:10.1537/ase1887.22.495 · Cited by 10,892
Statistical Methods for Meta-Analysis
Wasserman, S., Hedges, L. V., & Olkin, I. (1988) · Journal of Educational Statistics · doi:10.2307/1164953 · Cited by 10,326
Parental Investment and Sexual Selection
(2017) · Sexual Selection and the Descent of Man · doi:10.4324/9781315129266-7 · Cited by 9,510
The file drawer problem and tolerance for null results.
Rosenthal, R. (1979) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.86.3.638 · Cited by 9,068
Andersson, M. (1994) · Princeton University Press eBooks · doi:10.1515/9780691207278 · Cited by 7,401
Sexual Selection and the Descent of Man: The Darwinian Pivot
(2017) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781315129266 · Cited by 7,252
The Adapted mind : evolutionary psychology and the generation of culture
Barkow, J. H., Cosmides, L., & Tooby, J. (1992) · Cited by 5,221
Research works printed but not linked: 23
- Brunswick, 1945, Social perception of traits from photographs., Psychological Bulletin, 45, 535
- 10.1037/0022-3514.37.8.1387 · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.37.8.1387 · Paper page
- 10.1037/0022-3514.41.2.330 · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.41.2.330 · Paper page
- 10.1037/0021-843X.100.2.181 · DOI
- 10.1037/0022-3514.50.5.925 · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.50.5.925 · Paper page
- 10.1037/0022-3514.59.1.61 · DOI
- 10.1037/0022-3514.68.2.261 · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.68.2.261 · Paper page
- Daly, 1990, Evolutionary theory and parental motives., 25
- 10.1037/0003-066X.50.3.145 · DOI · Paper page
- 10.2307/1129726 · doi:10.2307/1129726 · Paper page
- Farkas, 1987, Linear proportions in above- and below-average women's faces., 119
- 10.1037/0033-2909.112.1.125 · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.112.1.125 · Paper page
- 10.1037/0033-2909.111.2.304 · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.111.2.304 · Paper page
- 10.1037/0022-3514.63.6.947 · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.63.6.947 · Paper page
- 10.1037/0012-1649.31.3.464 · doi:10.1037/0012-1649.31.3.464 · Paper page
- 10.1037/0012-1649.27.1.79 · doi:10.1037/0012-1649.27.1.79 · Paper page
- 10.1037/0012-1649.23.3.363 · doi:10.1037/0012-1649.23.3.363 · Paper page
- Mohr, 1932, Beauty as related to intelligence and scholarship., Psychological Bulletin, 29, 564
- Nunnally, 1978, Psychometric theory.
- 10.1037/0022-3514.48.2.456 · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.48.2.456
- Thornhill, 1998, Darwinian aesthetics., 543
- Waldrop, 1971, Minor physical anomalies and hyperactive behavior in young children., Vol. 2, 343
- 10.1037/0022-3514.65.1.85 · DOI
Cited by
Items 701–800 of 1,004
The aesthetic impact of upper lip inclination in orthodontics and orthognathic surgery
Naini, F. B., Cobourne, M. T., McDonald, F., & Wertheim, D. F. (2014) · European Journal of Orthodontics · doi:10.1093/ejo/cju015 · Cited by 26
“The most useful rating method accepted by psychologists in attractiveness perception research is the Likert-type scale (11).”
MethodPorciello, G., Holmes, B. S., Liuzza, M. T., Crostella, F., Aglioti, S. M., & Bufalari, I. (2014) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/srep06669 · Cited by 29
Ailing Voters Advance Attractive Congressional Candidates
Zebrowitz, L., Franklin, R. G., & Palumbo, R. (2015) · Evolutionary Psychology · doi:10.1177/147470491501300102 · Cited by 24
“-17- officials (Eagly, Ashmore, Makhijani, and Longo, 1991; Langlois et al., 2000; Zebrowitz and Franklin, 2014).”
BackgroundInfluentialHealth, Anticipated Partner Infidelity, and Jealousy in Men and Women
Arnocky, S. A., Pearson, M., & Vaillancourt, T. (2015) · Evolutionary Psychology · doi:10.1177/1474704915593666 · Cited by 31
“To illustrate this point, consider the example of facial symmetry, which has been identified as a ubiquitous characteristic of physical attractiveness in humans (Grammer & Thornhill, 1994; see also Langlois et al., 2000; cf. Van Dongen, 2012).”
BackgroundPhysical Attractiveness and Altruism in Two Modified Dictator Games
Bhogal, M. S., Galbraith, N. D., & Manktelow, K. I. (2016) · Basic and Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1080/01973533.2016.1199382 · Cited by 30
“…contexts, suggesting physically attractive people are evaluated more positively than unattractive people (see Dion, Berscheid, & Walster, 1972; Langlois et al., 2000; Lorenzo, Biesanz, & Human, 2010, see Maestripieri et al., 2016 for a review on the influence of physical attractiveness on…”
BackgroundRyabov, I. (2018) · Race and Social Problems · doi:10.1007/s12552-018-9245-1 · Cited by 31
Carbon, C., Faerber, S. J., Augustin, M. D., Mitterer, B., & Hutzler, F. (2018) · Neuroscience Letters · doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2018.09.009 · Cited by 28
An Objective Assessment of Orthognathic Surgery Patients
Eslamian, L., Borzabadi‐Farahani, A., Badiee, M. R., & Le, B. T. (2019) · Journal of Craniofacial Surgery · doi:10.1097/scs.0000000000005916 · Cited by 27
Frederick, D. A., Hatfield, E. C., Bohrnstedt, G. W., & Berscheid, E. (2014) · Psihologijske teme · Cited by 27
Zietsch, B. P. (2015) · Current Opinion in Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.08.014 · Cited by 26
“For example, people who are physically attractive are treated more favourably throughout childhood and adulthood [28] and so experience more positive reinforcement to their social overtures throughout their development.”
BackgroundRelationships between facial features in the perception of profile attractiveness
Torsello, F., Graci, M., Grande, N. M., & Deli, R. (2010) · Progress in Orthodontics · doi:10.1016/j.pio.2010.04.002 · Cited by 30
You are so beautiful...to me: Seeing beyond biases and achieving accuracy in romantic relationships.
Solomon, B. C., & Vazire, S. (2014) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0036899 · Cited by 30
“This is especially interesting given that, while other attributes may vary from context to context, physical attractiveness is quite stable across situations and that objective raters typically agree quite a bit about a target’s physical attractiveness (Langlois et al., 2000).”
BackgroundCollege students’ experiences of and coping with loneliness - possibilities of peer support
Vaarala, M., Määttä, K., & Uusiautti, S. (2013) · International Journal of Research Studies in Education · doi:10.5861/ijrse.2013.510 · Cited by 28
“People can think what they write and therefore, finding a friend via internet-based conversations is merely based on liking the other’s thoughts, the innermost, instead of outer appearance (cf. Langlois et al., 2000).”
BackgroundThe Influence of Symmetry on Children's Judgments of Facial Attractiveness
Vingilis‐Jaremko, L., & Maurer, D. M. (2013) · Perception · doi:10.1068/p7371 · Cited by 27
“…judgments (Bernstein et al 1982; Cunningham et al 1995; Johnson et al 1983; Langlois et al 2000; Perrett et al 1994) and, developmentally, infants look longer at faces rated by adults as attractive than those rated as unattractive (Langlois et al 1987; Samuels et al 1994; Slater et al 1998, 2000).”
BackgroundFacial attractiveness: Variation, adaptiveness and consequences of facial preferences
Kościński, K. (2008) · Anthropological Review · doi:10.2478/v10044-008-0012-6 · Cited by 26
“In accordance with predictions, observers attribute to attractive people such desirable features as physical and mental health, intelligence, competence, sociability, assertiveness, erotic efficiency, occupational fulfillment, and happiness [DION et al. 1972, ETCOFF 1999, LANGLOIS et al. 2000].”
BackgroundTang, X., Hao, Z., & Li, X. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1297369 · Cited by 47
Topical skin therapies in subjects undergoing full facial rejuvenation
Dayan, S. H., Bacos, J. T., Ho, T. T., Gandhi, N. D., Gutierrez‐Borst, S., & Kalbag, A. (2019) · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · doi:10.1111/jocd.12977 · Cited by 28
The interaction between pain and attractiveness perception in others
Meng, J., Li, X., Peng, W., Li, Z., & Shen, L. (2020) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-62478-x · Cited by 30
Beyond Aesthetic Judgment: Beauty Increases Moral Standing Through Perceptions of Purity
Klebl, C., Luo, Y., & Bastian, B. B. (2021) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/01461672211023648 · Cited by 32
“…that beauty perceptions may lead people to view humans and other animals as possessing moral standing (Gunnthorsdottir, 2001; Landová et al., 2018; Langlois et al., 2000; Marešová & Frynta, 2008), we investigated in six studies whether beauty perceptions increase the moral standing people place…”
BackgroundInfluentialShen, X., & Ferguson, M. J. (2021) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2021.104219 · Cited by 28
Shimizu, Y., Hashimoto, T., & Karasawa, K. (2021) · European Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/ejsp.2823 · Cited by 30
Kleisner, K., Tureček, P., Sarıbay, S. A., Pavlovič, O., Leongómez, J. D., Roberts, S. C., Havlı́ček, J., Valentová, J. V., Apostol, S., Akoko, R. M., et al. (2023) · Evolution and Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2023.10.001 · Cited by 33
Liu, J., Jing, H., & Furutan, O. (2012) · Journal of Education for Business · doi:10.1080/08832323.2011.652695 · Cited by 26
“In the communication literature, attractive communicators are found to be more persuasive, treated better in social settings, and achieve greater career success (Langlois et al., 2000).”
BackgroundFacial attractiveness and stereotypes of hotel guests: An experimental research
Čivre, Ž., Knežević, M., Baruca, P. Z., & Fabjan, D. (2012) · Tourism Management · doi:10.1016/j.tourman.2012.11.004 · Cited by 26
Personality similarity in unrelated look-alike pairs: Addressing a twin study challenge
Segal, N. L. (2012) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2012.07.031 · Cited by 24
“A recent meta-analytic study also linked greater physical attractiveness with more favorable personality attributes in children and adults, but could not examine a possible causal link between treatment by others and personality (Langlois et al., 2000).”
BackgroundThe influence of averageness on children’s judgments of facial attractiveness
Vingilis‐Jaremko, L., & Maurer, D. M. (2013) · Journal of Experimental Child Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jecp.2013.03.014 · Cited by 27
Sorokowski, P., Kościński, K., & Sorokowska, A. (2013) · Evolutionary Psychology · doi:10.1177/147470491301100414 · Cited by 26
“Many studies reported high inter-racial and inter-cultural agreement in perception of facial attractiveness (Langlois et al., 2000).”
BackgroundNeural Correlates of Explicit Social Judgments on Vocal Stimuli
Hensel, L., Bzdok, D., Müller, V. I., Zilles, K., & Eickhoff, S. B. (2013) · Cerebral Cortex · doi:10.1093/cercor/bht307 · Cited by 26
“To investigate the top-down effects of social trait judgments on voices, hemodynamic responses of 44 healthy participants were measured during social trait (trustworthiness [TR] and attractiveness [AT]), emotional (happiness, HA), and cognitive (age, AG) voice judgments.”
BackgroundThe attractive underdog: When disadvantage bolsters attractiveness
Michniewicz, K. S., & Vandello, J. A. (2013) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407513477629 · Cited by 26
Celebrity smile esthetics assessment: Smile angulation
Koidou, V. P., Rosenstiel, S., & Rashid, R. (2016) · Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry · doi:10.1016/j.prosdent.2016.08.008 · Cited by 26
Human colour in mate choice and competition
Rowland, H. M., & Burriss, R. P. (2017) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2016.0350 · Cited by 28
Stability of women's facial shape throughout the menstrual cycle
Marcinkowska, U. M., & Holzleitner, I. J. (2020) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.2019.2910 · Cited by 26
“Introduction 27 Facial attractiveness is of critical importance for social interactions (1, 2).”
BackgroundA dual-process account of female facial attractiveness preferences: Sexual and nonsexual routes
Franklin, R. G., & Adams, R. B. (2009) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2009.06.014 · Cited by 27
Basow, S. A. (2013) · PsycEXTRA Dataset · doi:10.1037/e584152013-001 · Cited by 26
The Effect of Offender's Attractiveness and Subject's Gender on Judgments in Swindling
Bitton, M. S., & Zvi, L. (2014) · Psychiatry Psychology and Law · doi:10.1080/13218719.2014.960037 · Cited by 26
“Individuals viewed as attractive are evaluated as more sociable, intelligent, popular, well-adjusted, kind and sensitive than those viewed as less attractive (Eagly et al., 1991; Langolis et al., 2000).”
BackgroundWang, H., Hahn, A. C., Fisher, C. I., DeBruine, L. M., & Jones, B. C. (2014) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.08.022 · Cited by 27
“This is surprising, given the importance of attractiveness for social interaction (Langlois et al., 2000) and research suggesting that women’s testosterone (Hermans et al., 2010) or estradiol (Dreher et al., 2007) modulates the extent to which financial incentives activate brain regions involved in…”
InfluentialStorms, A.-S., Miclotte, A., Grosjean, L., de Llano‐Pérula, M. C., Alqerban, A., Fieuws, S., Sun, Y., Politis, C., Verdonck, A., & Willems, G. (2017) · European Journal of Orthodontics · doi:10.1093/ejo/cjx003 · Cited by 25
“Attractive individuals seem to be viewed as more successful at work, having better social skills and appear to have higher self-esteem (2).”
BackgroundPay for beauty? A contingent perspective of CEO facial attractiveness on CEO compensation
Li, M., Triana, M. D. C., Byun, S., & Chapa, O. (2020) · Human Resource Management · doi:10.1002/hrm.22036 · Cited by 26
Kimotho, S. G., & Macharia, F. N. (2020) · Humanities and Social Sciences Communications · doi:10.1057/s41599-020-00677-7 · Cited by 25
The relentless pursuit of acceptance and belonging
Leary, M. R., & Gabriel, S. (2022) · Advances in motivation science · doi:10.1016/bs.adms.2021.12.001 · Cited by 39
Webb, H. J., & Zimmer‐Gembeck, M. J. (2014) · Social Development · doi:10.1111/sode.12081 · Cited by 32
“Attractive individuals are treated more positively, receive more attention, and are perceived as more socially competent, assertive, and intelligent (Langlois et al., 2000; Maner et al., 2003).”
BackgroundShifting the Prototype: Experience with Faces Influences Affective and Attractiveness Preferences
Principe, C. P., & Langlois, J. H. (2012) · Social Cognition · doi:10.1521/soco.2012.30.1.109 · Cited by 25
“Moreover, even young infants prefer attractive faces (Langlois et al., 1987, 2000; Langlois, Ritter, Roggman, & Vaughn, 1991).”
BackgroundSelf-citationArroyo, A., & Segrin, C. G. (2013) · Communication Monographs · doi:10.1080/03637751.2013.828158 · Cited by 32
“…(Harrison & Fredrickson, 2003; Harrison, Taylor, & Marske, 2006), attractive people are thought to have more positive characteristics, including being perceived as more interesting and sociable than unattractive people (e.g., Eagly, Ashmore, Makhijani, & Longo, 1991; Langlois et al., 2000).”
BackgroundA conceptual framework for the study of popularity in the workplace
Scott, B. A. (2012) · Organizational Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/2041386612464092 · Cited by 25
“A wealth of research has shown that physically attractive individuals are perceived more favorably by others than physically unattractive individuals (for meta-analyses, see Eagly, Ashmore, Makhijani, & Longo, 1991; Langlois et al., 2000), and studies in developmental psychology have revealed that physical attractiven…”
BackgroundEffects of The "What is Beautiful is Good" Stereotype on Perceived Trustworthiness
Shinners, E., & Morgan, B. L. (2009) · Cited by 24
The role of height in the sex difference in intelligence
Satoshi Kanazawa, A., & Reyniers, D. J. (2009) · The American Journal of Psychology · doi:10.2307/27784427 · Cited by 25
“(See Langlois et al., 2000, and Kanazawa & Kovar, 2004, for reviews.)”
BackgroundLateral OFC Activity Predicts Decision Bias due to First Impressions during Ultimatum Games
Kim, H., Choi, M.-J., & Jang, I.-J. (2011) · Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience · doi:10.1162/jocn_a_00136 · Cited by 25
“Previous studies have indicated that facial trustworthiness and attractiveness tend to be correlated (vanʼ tW out & Sanfey, 2008) and that attractive faces are more likely to be trusted (Andreoni & Petrie, 2008; Wilson & Eckel, 2006; Solnick & Schweitzer, 1999; Mulford et al., 1998), which is not surprising given that…”
BackgroundThe impact of occlusal plane cant along with gingival display on smile attractiveness
Kaya, B., & Uyar, R. (2016) · Orthodontics and Craniofacial Research · doi:10.1111/ocr.12118 · Cited by 25
Sociodemographic Variables in Relation to Social Appearance Anxiety in Adolescents.
Şahin, E., Barut, Y., & Ersanli, E. (2013) · Cited by 25
Swipe right for surgical residency: Exploring the unconscious bias in resident selection
Kassam, A., Cortez, A. R., Winer, L. K., Baker, J. E., Hanseman, D. J., Wells, D. A., Yalamanchili, S., Habashy, E., Chausse, S., Makley, A. T., et al. (2020) · Surgery · doi:10.1016/j.surg.2020.05.029 · Cited by 25
Facial profile esthetic preferences: perception in two Brazilian states
de Oliveira, M. D. V., da Silveira, B. L., Mattos, C. T., & Marquezan, M. (2015) · Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics · doi:10.1590/2176-9451.20.3.088-095.oar · Cited by 25
Does attractiveness buy happiness? “It depends on where you’re from”
Plaut, V., Adams, G., & Anderson, S. L. (2009) · Personal Relationships · doi:10.1111/j.1475-6811.2009.01242.x · Cited by 26
“In short, attractive people experience better social and psychological outcomes than unattractive people do (see Langlois et al., 2000, for a meta-analytic review).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialThe Confounding of Fat, Control, and Physical Attractiveness for Women
Smith, C. A. (2012) · Sex Roles · doi:10.1007/s11199-011-0111-5 · Cited by 27
Masnari, O., Schiestl, C. M., Weibel, L., Wuttke, F., & Landolt, M. A. (2013) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2013.05.007 · Cited by 25
“These include evolutionary perspectives (Langlois et al., 2000), primitive beliefs”
ResultBertamini, M., Byrne, C., & Bennett, K. M. (2013) · i-Perception · doi:10.1068/i0578 · Cited by 26
“Many studies have demonstrated the importance of attractiveness in relation to judgement and mate choice (Gangestad & Scheyd, 2005; Langlois et al., 2000).”
Exercising the Self: On the Role of Exercise, Gender and Culture in Physical-self Perceptions
Lindwall, M. (2004) · PsycEXTRA Dataset · doi:10.1037/e530122013-001 · Cited by 26
“Linked to the above quotation from Brownell, and the widely acknowledged physical attractiveness stereotype (Eagly et al., 1991; Langlois et al., 2000), it seems pertinent to ask how exercise-related information and impressions may affect others’ evaluation of the individual.”
BackgroundResultExamining the effects of emotion regulation on the ERP response to highly negative social stigmas
Krendl, A. C., Zucker, H. R., & Kensinger, E. A. (2017) · Social Neuroscience · doi:10.1080/17470919.2016.1166155 · Cited by 24
“Stigmas are powerful and have a deleterious impact on how those who possess them are treated (e.g., Crocker, Major, & Steele, 1998; Langlois et al., 2000).”
Nakamura, K., & Kawabata, H. (2018) · Consciousness and Cognition · doi:10.1016/j.concog.2018.07.010 · Cited by 25
False Exemplars: Admiration and the Ethics of Public Monuments
Rossi, B. C. (2020) · Journal of Ethics and Social Philosophy · doi:10.26556/jesp.v18i1.696 · Cited by 27
Ehlinger, P. P., & Blashill, A. J. (2015) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2015.08.071 · Cited by 24
“More objectively attractive adults were also slightly less likely to have a mental illness, according to clinician-based measures of mental health (Langlois et al., 2000).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialJohnson, R. R., & Crews, A. W. (2012) · American Journal of Criminal Justice · doi:10.1007/s12103-012-9186-y · Cited by 25
“Likely, this is due to the well documented attribution errors many people make leading to assumptions that physically attractive people are more competent (Jackson, Hunter & Hodge, 1995), trustworthy (Ohanian, 1990), and intelligent (Langlois et al., 2000).”
BackgroundPerfectionism and undergoing cosmetic surgery
Sherry, S., Hewitt, P. L., Flett, G. L., & Lee‐Baggley, D. (2007) · European Journal of Plastic Surgery · doi:10.1007/s00238-007-0109-y · Cited by 24
“Insofar as physical attractiveness facilitates positive evaluations and others’ acceptance [8, 9], socially prescribed perfectionists and perfectionistic self-promoters may look to cosmetic surgery as a means of securing sought-after interpersonal resources (e.”
BackgroundWhat do people infer from facial attractiveness?
Brewer, G., & Archer, J. E. (2007) · Journal of Evolutionary Psychology · doi:10.1556/jep.2007.1002 · Cited by 26
“This contrasts with much of the previous research in which individuals are categorised as high and low attractiveness only (L ANGLOIS et al. 2000).”
Naraghi, M., Atari, M., & Asadollahi, H. (2016) · The Surgery Journal · doi:10.1055/s-0036-1579658 · Cited by 24
Visuospatial asymmetries do not modulate the cheerleader effect
Carragher, D. J., Lawrence, B. J., Thomas, N. A., & Nicholls, M. E. R. (2018) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-018-20784-5 · Cited by 25
People Playing Games: The Human Face of Experimental Economics
Eckel, C. C. (2007) · Southern Economic Journal · doi:10.1002/j.2325-8012.2007.tb00807.x · Cited by 24
Relation between facial morphology, personality and the functions of facial make‐up in women
Korichi, R., de Quéral, D., Gazano, G., & Aubert, A. (2011) · International Journal of Cosmetic Science · doi:10.1111/j.1468-2494.2010.00632.x · Cited by 27
Little, A. C., DeBruine, L. M., & Jones, B. C. (2013) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-013-0120-2 · Cited by 24
Agthe, M., Spörrle, M., & Försterling, F. (2008) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167208324446 · Cited by 25
“Moreover, the SAB response pattern is more congruent with the notion that the human mind is designed for fitness maximization as found in error management theory than with a general attractiveness effect along the lines of a “what is beautiful is good” stereotype (e.g., Langlois et al., 2000).”
BackgroundCorrelation Between Cephalometric Measures and End-of-Treatment Facial Attractiveness
Yu, X.-N., Bai, D., Feng, X., Liu, Y., Chen, W., Li, S., Han, G., Jiang, R., & Xu, T. (2016) · Journal of Craniofacial Surgery · doi:10.1097/scs.0000000000002444 · Cited by 24
Friendship and partner choice in rural ColombiaPreprint
Redhead, D., Ragione, A. D., & Ross, C. T. (2022) · PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) · doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2022.08.004 · Cited by 27
Children and adults use attractiveness as a social cue in real people and avatars
Principe, C. P., & Langlois, J. H. (2013) · Journal of Experimental Child Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jecp.2012.12.002 · Cited by 27
Self-citationAttractiveness and relationship longevity: Beauty is not what it is cracked up to be
Ma‐Kellams, C., Wang, M. C., & CARDIEL, H. (2017) · Personal Relationships · doi:10.1111/pere.12173 · Cited by 23
“In short, previous research has long established PA as a powerful motivator and potent predictor of positive outcomes across a variety of domains, and a highly desirable attribute in the context of romantic relationships (Langlois et al., 2000).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialDietl, E., Rule, N. O., & Blickle, G. (2018) · The Leadership Quarterly · doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2018.01.002 · Cited by 25
“attractive appearance can elicit positive expectations and stereotypes (Dion, Berscheid, & Walster, 1972), and these positive impressions can turn into self-fulfilling prophecies whereby one gradually adopts the traits and behaviors that others expect, allowing the person to develop a favorable self-concept (e.g., hig…”
BackgroundObwegeser, D., Timofte, R., Mayer, C., Eliades, T., Bornstein, M. M., Schätzle, M. A., & Patcas, R. (2022) · European Journal of Orthodontics · doi:10.1093/ejo/cjac016 · Cited by 26
Teng, F., Wang, X., Zhang, Y., Lei, Q., Xiang, F., & Yuan, S. (2022) · Evolution and Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2022.09.005 · Cited by 23
Looks and Labor: Do Attractive People Work More?
Gehrsitz, M. (2014) · Labour · doi:10.1111/labr.12035 · Cited by 23
Sexual Dimorphism and Personality Attributions of Male Faces
Pivoñková, V., Rubešová, A., Lindová, J., & Havlı́ček, J. (2011) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-011-9821-6 · Cited by 23
Beauty in a Multicultural World
Weeks, D. M., & Thomas, J. R. (2014) · Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America · doi:10.1016/j.fsc.2014.04.005 · Cited by 23
Atari, M., Chegeni, R., & Fathi, L. (2016) · Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology · doi:10.1007/s40750-016-0053-9 · Cited by 23
Experimental evidence of observed social media status cues on perceived likability.
Bradley, S. W., Roberts, J. A., & Bradley, P. W. (2017) · Psychology of Popular Media Culture · doi:10.1037/ppm0000164 · Cited by 28
“In online social exchanges, observers are likely to consider attractiveness and its association with factors like social ease and confidence as a cue for likability (Langlois et al., 2000).”
BackgroundRace and facial attractiveness: individual differences in perceived adoptability of children
Chin, S. F., Wade, T. J., & French, K. (2006) · Journal of Cultural and Evolutionary Psychology · doi:10.1556/jcep.4.2006.3-4.2 · Cited by 23
Vermeir, I., & de Sompel, D. V. (2013) · Journal of Consumer Policy · doi:10.1007/s10603-013-9245-x · Cited by 29
“The metaanalysis of Langlois et al. (2000) showed that attractive people are in fact more popular, show greater intelligence/performance competence and are better adjusted.”
BackgroundReyes, J. A. M., Pita, M., Arjona, M., Sánchez‐Pagés, S., & Turiégano, E. (2013) · Evolution and Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2013.11.005 · Cited by 26
Mutz, M., & Meier, H. E. (2014) · International Review for the Sociology of Sport · doi:10.1177/1012690214545900 · Cited by 28
“individuals have advantages in many areas of life (Hamermesh, 2011; Langlois et al., 2000).”
BackgroundNatural Tendency towards Beauty in Humans: Evidence from Binocular Rivalry
Mo, C., Xia, T., Qin, K., & Mo, L. (2016) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0150147 · Cited by 28
“These studies suggest that there is something universal about attractive faces (and unattractive faces) that is recognized both across individuals and cultures [27, 51, 56].”
BackgroundThe Influence of Physical Attractiveness on Belief in a Just World
Westfall, R. S., Millar, M. G., & Lovitt, A. (2018) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.1177/0033294118763172 · Cited by 26
“…line of research has demonstrated that individuals infer that physically attractive humans have many other positive traits, while individuals found unattractive possess negative personality traits (see Eagly et al. (1991) for a meta-analysis and Langlois et al. (2000) for a theoretical review).”
BackgroundMorphological, functional and aesthetic criteria of acceptable mature occlusion
Svedström‐Oristo, A. (2001) · European Journal of Orthodontics · doi:10.1093/ejo/23.4.373 · Cited by 23
“The preference for attractive faces is already present in infancy (Langlois et al., 2000).”
BackgroundSkirting the Issues? Experimental Evidence of Gender Bias in IPO Prospectus EvaluationsPreprint
Bigelow, L. S., Lundmark, L., Parks, J. M., & Wuebker, R. J. (2010) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.1556449 · Cited by 23
Agthe, M., Spörrle, M., Frey, D., & Maner, J. K. (2013) · Journal of Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/jasp.12198 · Cited by 24
Sex Differences in the Attractiveness Halo Ef- fect in the Online Dating Environment
Bak, P. M. (2010) · Cited by 22
Sinko, K., Jagsch, R., Drog, C., Mosgoeller, W., Wutzl, A., Millesi, G., & Klug, C. (2018) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0191718 · Cited by 22
Psychosocial well‐being of long‐term survivors of pediatric head–neck rhabdomyosarcoma
Vaarwerk, B., Schoot, R. A., Maurice‐Stam, H., Slater, O., Hartley, B., Saeed, P., Gajdošová, E., van den Brekel, M. W. M., Balm, A. J. M., Hol, M. L. F., et al. (2018) · Pediatric Blood & Cancer · doi:10.1002/pbc.27498 · Cited by 22
“However, social interactions are strongly affected by facial appearances 33 and previous studies have shown that children (other than HNRMS survivors) with craniofacial conditions are at higher risk of being bullied compared with healthy peers.”
BackgroundNakamura, K., & Watanabe, K. (2020) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-73472-8 · Cited by 22
Egebark, J. H., Ekström, M., Plug, E., & van Praag, M. (2021) · Journal of Public Economics · doi:10.1016/j.jpubeco.2021.104372 · Cited by 23
“This assumption is also consistent with the meta-analysis by Langlois et al. (2000), which concludes that raters agree about who is and is not attractive, both within and across cultures.”
ResultEsthetic Considerations in Orthodontics: An Overview
Singh, S., Singla, L., & Anand, T. (2021) · Dental Journal of Advance Studies · doi:10.1055/s-0041-1726473 · Cited by 22
Zhang, X., Wang, Y., Xiao, Q., & Wang, J. (2024) · Decision Support Systems · doi:10.1016/j.dss.2024.114246 · Cited by 25
When Romance and Rivalry Awaken
Agthe, M., Spörrle, M., Frey, D., Walper, S., & Maner, J. K. (2013) · Human Nature · doi:10.1007/s12110-013-9166-z · Cited by 2
Williams, D. M., Bentley, R., Cobourne, M. T., Gibilaro, A., Good, S., Huppa, C., Matthews, N. S., O’Higgins, L., Patel, S., & Newton, T. (2008) · Journal of Dentistry · doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2008.05.002 · Cited by 25
Women’s visual attention to variation in men’s dance quality
Weege, B., Lange, B. P., & Fink, B. (2012) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2012.03.011 · Cited by 22
“There is indeed evidence that attractiveness judgements depend on the type of stimulus used (Langlois et al., 2000) and that attractiveness perception is viewpoint-dependent (e.”
Background
Metadata
- Authors
- Langlois, J. H., Kalakanis, L., Rubenstein, A. J., Larson, A., Hallam, M., & Smoot, M.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas at Austin (US)
- Venue
- Psychological Bulletin
- Published
- 2000
- Volume
- 126
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 390-423
- ISSN
- 0033-2909 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1455
- OpenAlex
- W2088165831
- Cited by
- 2,429
- References
- 297
- Citations by year
- 2026: 84 · 2025: 105 · 2024: 111 · 2023: 131 · 2022: 116 · 2021: 148 · 2020: 127 · 2019: 131 · 2018: 132 · 2017: 118 · 2016: 126 · 2015: 135 · 2014: 121 · 2013: 129 · 2012: 138
- FWCI
- 20.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Bulletin (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD021332)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Aesthetic Perception and Analysis
- Keywords
- physical attractiveness, beauty, attractiveness judgments, evolutionary psychology, socialization theory
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Animals, Beauty, Child, Biological Evolution, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Self Concept, Social Behavior, Social Perception
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
Data sources
Bibliographic data: Semantic Scholar, OpenAlex, Crossref.
Contains information from the Semantic Scholar Academic Graph Datasets, made available under the ODC Attribution License (ODC-BY 1.0).
Semantic Scholar’s data is described in: Kinney, R., et al. (2023). The Semantic Scholar Open Data Platform. arXiv:2301.10140.
