The Attractive Underdog: When Disadvantage Bolsters Attractiveness.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-4-2013
Keywords
Attractiveness, disadvantage, interpersonal attraction, justice, underdog effect
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407513477629
Abstract
While intuition suggests and much research has shown that people are attracted to advantaged individuals, the present study explored the conditions under which people might be attracted to disadvantaged individuals. We hypothesized that perceiving someone as unfairly disadvantaged can motivate attributions of positive personal characteristics and, consequently, judgments of heightened attractiveness. Seventy-eight participants were randomly assigned to read about a job applicant facing a fair or an unfair application process resulting in a competitive advantage or disadvantage. In support of our hypothesis, participants judged unfairly disadvantaged applicants (i.e., underdogs) and fairly advantaged applicants as more physically attractive and suitable as dates compared with fairly disadvantaged and unfairly advantaged applicants. These results highlight the role of situational factors in judgments of one’s attractiveness.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Journal of Personal and Social Relationships, v. 30, issue 7, p. 942-952.
Scholar Commons Citation
Michniewicz, K. and Vandello, Joseph A., "The Attractive Underdog: When Disadvantage Bolsters Attractiveness." (2013). Psychology Faculty Publications. 2250.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/psy_facpub/2250
