People who believed they were physically unattractive were more likely to cite the quality of their work as the reason for receiving a positive evaluation when they thought they were seen by the evaluator. However, people who believed they were attractive were less likely to credit the quality of their work when they thought they were seen. From Major et al.
In sum, beauty may be a mixed blessing. There are real benefits that can- not be denied, but there may be some costs as well. This trade-off makes you wonder about the long-term effects. Some years ago, Ellen Berscheid and others compared the physical attractiveness levels of college students (based on yearbook pictures) to their adjustment when they reached middle age. There was little relationship between their appearance in youth and happiness later in life. Those who were especially good-looking in college were more likely to be mar- ried, but they were not more satisfied with marriage or more content more gener- ally. Beauty may confer advantage, but it is not destiny.