From the Guidelines
Improvements in perceived attractiveness can have a complex relationship with overall attractiveness, as they may not always lead to increased ratings of physical attractiveness, especially in individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) 1. When considering the impact of perceived attractiveness on overall attractiveness, it's essential to recognize that attractiveness is a multifaceted concept influenced by both biological and cultural factors. However, for individuals with BDD, improvements in perceived attractiveness may not necessarily translate to increased overall attractiveness due to the distorted body image and excessive self-focused attention characteristic of the disorder 2. The relationship between perceived attractiveness and overall attractiveness is further complicated by the fact that individuals with BDD often engage in safety behaviors and avoidance strategies that can exacerbate their appearance concerns, rather than alleviating them 3. Key factors to consider in this context include:
- The potential for improvements in perceived attractiveness to be undermined by the distorted body image and negative self-perception associated with BDD
- The importance of addressing underlying psychological and emotional issues, rather than solely focusing on physical appearance, in order to promote positive body image and overall well-being
- The need for a comprehensive treatment approach that incorporates cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based interventions to address the complex needs of individuals with BDD 2. Ultimately, the most effective strategy for enhancing overall attractiveness in individuals with BDD is to address the underlying psychological and emotional issues driving their appearance concerns, rather than relying solely on physical improvements 1.
From the Research
Perceived Attractiveness and Overall Attractiveness
- Improvements in perceived attractiveness can have a significant impact on overall attractiveness, as studies have shown that physical attractiveness is a major factor in determining self-esteem and interpersonal interactions 4, 5.
- Research suggests that self-ratings of attractiveness are inflated by self-esteem and confidence, while partner-ratings are influenced by love and relationship satisfaction 6.
- The relationship between physical attractiveness and self-esteem is complex, with physical attractiveness being positively correlated with happiness, psychological health, and self-esteem in women, but not in men 5.
Factors Influencing Attractiveness
- Physical attractiveness is not the only factor that influences overall attractiveness, as other characteristics such as personality traits, clothing, and emotional attractiveness also play a role 6.
- The Attractiveness Halo Model identifies ten components of attractiveness, including physical, emotional, sexual, sensory, intellectual, behavioural, observer, situation, reciprocity, and time, which are inter-related and influence overall attractiveness 6.
- Contingent self-esteem and self-perceptions of attractiveness can also impact responses to appearance-related social comparisons, with individuals who base their self-worth on contingencies and have lower self-perceived attractiveness experiencing greater distress 7.
Demographic Differences
- The importance of physical attractiveness and physical effectiveness in determining self-esteem may vary across different age groups and sexes, with consistent patterns evident across different grade-levels of adolescents 8.
- Research suggests that physical attractiveness may be more important for women's self-esteem than for men's, as physical attractiveness "buys" more for women than for men in terms of social outcomes such as friends and dates 5.