The Label of Looks: Physical Attractiveness, Stigma, and Deviant Behavior

ABSTRACT

There are numerous advantages afforded to physically attractive individuals, including better employment opportunities, higher wages, and being viewed as more intelligent, capable, and nicer than those who are less attractive. From a labeling perspective, there is ample theoretical rationale to believe that people who are less attractive may engage in greater deviant behaviors due to the stigma of feeling “ugly.” Using a sample of 1,486 college students, this study explores how both perceptions of attractiveness as well as the stigma about one’s looks relate to a variety index of norm-breaking behaviors (e.g. chewing with an open mouth, drunk dialing, failing to bathe). Findings revealed that perceptions of physical attractiveness were not a significant correlate of deviance; however, individuals who reported greater levels of stigma about their looks reported significantly greater levels of general deviance than those with lower levels of stigma. Results further showed that stigma moderated a significant negative effect between perceptions of attractiveness and deviance, particularly for people of “average” looks. Echoing prior studies on the importance of physical attractiveness in society, findings from this study highlight that how people feel about their looks carries significant influence on behaviors, including everyday forms of general social deviance.

KEYWORDS:

• deviance
• labeling
• offending
• physical attractiveness
• stigma

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

¹ This number is rounded to protect the confidentiality of the institution.

² We used only the discrimination component of the stigma scale as the remaining scales included disclosure (which is not applicable to physical attractiveness as an individuals’ looks are readily ascertained by others) and positive evaluations (e.g., people have an understanding of mental illness, which does not appear to be applicable to physical attractiveness).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Thomas J. Mowen

Thomas J. Mowen is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Bowling Green State University. Tom’s current research examines the link between paranormal beliefs and deviance and self-perceptions and crime. His recent work has appeared in Criminology, Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, and Justice Quarterly, among others.

Amanda Heitkamp

Amanda Heitkamp is an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology, Sociology, and Criminology at Troy University. Amanda’s research interests include deviance, stigma, and substance use among college students. Her work has been published in Crime & Delinquency, Deviant Behavior, and American Journal of Criminal Justice.