Beauty is Only Skin Deep, But Will It Get You Elected?

[Frank Bellamy, MAP Masters of Applied Politics]

Beauty is Only Skin Deep, But Will It Get You Elected?

In the words of "biopolitics" specialist Dr. James Schubert and Dr. Margaret Curran, humans are still "unconsciously attracted to things that indicate good genes."

Genetic factors still have a substantial effect on voter preferences, say the two researchers at Northern Illinois University. They contend that both a candidate's "attractiveness" and the quality of his or her non-verbal behavior contribute to electability.  Facial symmetry and average-size features both play a role as people develop their opinions of who is and who is not attractive.

In the study, the male candidates whom most participants predicted to win all had well-balanced faces with average-sized features; in addition, the scientists noted that the winners possessed pronounced cheekbones, strong brow-ridges and large jaws-the same testosterone induced features that influence mate selection.  Schubert says voters are drawn to more dominate facial features strike a chord with evolutionary ideas of leadership, and thus have an inherent advantage over less genetically lucky opponents.

The same guidelines of symmetry and averageness play a role in determining women's attractiveness, yet people tend to judge female candidates more on their degree of health and vitality than on facial structure.  For women, non-verbal behavior plays a more important role than appearance.

[For both Men and Women] Facial symmetry and strong jaw lines, however, do not outweigh their deficiencies in non-verbal behavior.

Source: Inside Politics, by Erin Smith