Title
The relationship between appearance and personality across the life span
Abstract
Using archival data, the relationship of appearance to personality was investigated from childhood to age 60. Lagged effects of appearance on personality and vice versa, as well as accuracy of appearance stereotypes, were assessed. For men, lagged effects of attractiveness on personality were consistent with a self-fulfilling prophecy; for adolescent boys, lagged effects of babyfaceness on personality were consistent with a self-defeating prophecy; for women, lagged effects of personality on attractiveness were consistent with a Dorian Gray effect, whereby early personality produces a congruent later appearance. There was no evidence for accuracy of the baby-face stereotype, which was significantly inaccurate for adolescent boys. Accuracy of the attractiveness stereotype required effects of a stable earlier appearance on later personality or a stable earlier personality on later appearance.
Department(s)
Psychology
Document Type
Article
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167298247006
Publication Date
1-1-1998
Recommended Citation
Zebrowitz, Leslie A., Mary Ann Collins, and Ranjana Dutta. "The relationship between appearance and personality across the life span." Personality and social psychology bulletin 24, no. 7 (1998): 736-749.
Journal Title
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
