[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When people constantly and meticulously tend to their physical appearances, they might be considered vain and superficial. It’s generally understood that in forming perceptions of others, their looks shouldn’t matter. Most of us were taught to judge the value of others on the basis of their personality and character, not merely attractiveness. But what if we can’t help it? What if, no matter what our mothers told us over and over, we inevitably interact with one another on a foundation of complete superficiality?
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Despite what you might consciously acknowledge, this is absolutely true. As humans, we are completely submissive to the invisible forces of implicit bias. According to a 2009 article in The New York Times, “Stereotypes are seen as a necessary mechanism for making sense of information.” Snap judgments and stereotyping are integral to the way we function cognitively, which is basically in a series of immediate categorical associations.
Fortunately, our initial value judgments usually dissipate, and we eventually become more holistically judgmental of individuals. While this may be comforting to our greater altruistic desires, it doesn’t change the fact that we are unconsciously and inexorably prone to the influences of vanity and superficiality. As awful as it seems, in the context of establishing relationships and projecting a certain persona, looks are the only thing that matter.
What is implicit bias? Think about the idea of being attracted to a complete stranger — the concept itself is entirely superficial. Initial attraction is neither a result of any kind of genuine personal connection, nor does it account for any concrete knowledge of the personality or character of the individual. It’s not something we actively debate or consider. We see a particular human being, and for whatever reason, our brain alerts us that it would be absolutely OK to hop right into bed with that person.
Of course, maintenance of a reputable appearance should not be acknowledged as valuable simply because it’s nice to know that people want to sleep with you. The true importance lies in understanding other unconsciously manipulated biases at work. In almost every social context, people are naturally more sympathetic and trusting toward attractive, well-dressed and put-together individuals. The New York Times article goes on to say, “Most stereotypes break down into two broad dimensions: whether a person appears to have malignant or benign intent and whether a person appears dangerous.”
To revisit the idea of attraction from a deeper psychological point of view for a moment, this idea means that we not only enjoy physical beauty but associate with it things like safety, comfort and general benevolence (which are all desirable characteristics in a potential mate). This is why you do not see door-to-door salesmen in sweat pants, politicians with scars across their faces or any good-looking cartoon villains. Would you rather take a car ride from a stranger in a suit or from a stranger in all black and a beanie? These expressions of implicit bias essentially function as split-second estimations of the trustworthiness of others. So we can’t blame an increasingly superficial society for its harsh imposition of beauty standards, and on a very instinctive and evolutionary level, we cannot simply decide to think or behave differently.
This shouldn’t mean that we need to become slaves to the maintenance of our appearance, constantly obsessing over whether or not we are making a good physical impression. In fact, this knowledge is not a validation or promotion of the blind pursuit of vanity. This knowledge is a recognition of the simple fact that nobody can shield themselves from being the subject of implicit bias in human interaction — and it doesn’t have to be a burden. Instead of futilely attempting to escape the inevitable, learn to manipulate it. Simply be aware of the influential power of physical appearance, and use it in a personally beneficial manner. Consider it a tool for success, rather than the object of success. If you’re stepping out to the grocery store, feel free to wear Crocs. If you need to get away with a lie, make sure to look cute.
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