Work

Beauty Is Not Always a Perk: The Role of Attractiveness and Social Interest in Trust Decisions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study examined the impact of males' facial and vocal attractiveness, as well as social interest in females' decision-making in a trust game. The results showed that trustees with attractive faces or expressing positive social interest were more likely to receive initial investments. Trustees with attractive voices also received more initial investments than unattractive ones in most conditions, except when they had attractive faces and positive interest. Moreover, participants reinvest in trustees with attractive faces or voices, even if they withheld repayment. However, trustees with positive interest would receive more reinvestment only when they reciprocated. In addition, trusters expressing positive social interest were expected to invest and earn repayment at higher rates. Nonetheless, trusters with attractive faces (or voices) were only expected to invest at higher rates when they had attractive voices (or faces) and negative interest. These findings suggest that beauty premium is modulated by participants' roles, such that the effect of beauty would be stronger when participants encounter trustees rather than trusters. Positive social interest is a perk in most conditions, except when trustees withheld repayment.

Source: Behavioral Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/bs15020175

Authors: Junchen Shang, Yizhuo Zhang

Institution: Southeast University

Language: English

Topic: Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,654

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China