In today's society, how one looks is very important. Many view a person by how they impress. However, physical looks is not basis for better pay.
Physical beauty can be an asset in many industries. Entertainment and modelling rely much on how one looks. Even more ordinary jobs give more stress on the looks of a person. A study though has found that higher pay is not necessarily just based on looks.
Two researchers have studied the notion on whether physical looks can be a factor to get better pay. Satoshi Kanazawa is from the London School of Economics and Political Science, while Mary Still is from the University of Massachusetts. The two have studied data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health. The survey has looked into on how respondents view physical attractiveness on a five point system.
The study has found that the respondents did not just focus on physical looks. Other factors were also considered such as health and intelligence. Kanazawa has said that if ever physically attractive people get more pay, these other factors might have been considered as well.
A better personality trait would lead to better pay. However, there is evidence that a premium is made for those who are not physically attractive, according to Science Daily. Very unattractive people are said to earn more than those who are just unattractive. Their rates could be compared against those who are considered as only average looking.
The researchers have said that other studies have not taken into account such aspects like health and intelligence. Another factor is that other studies usually put very unattractive and unattractive people together, as Springer reports. This could lead to studies that make it seem that physical looks is the only basis for pay.
A premium is being given as well to those who are very unattractive. That would mean then that physical looks is not totally the basis for better pay. A study has found that older moms can have smarter kids.
