| About the book | |
We all know one hard and undeniable truth: Physical beauty comes with tremendous power, and tremendous benefits. Those who possess it are generally luckier in love, more likely to be popular, and more apt to get better grades in school. But very few of us realize just how much looks affect every aspect of our lives. Recent studies document that people blessed with good looks earn about 10% more than their average-looking colleagues. They are also more likely to get hired and promoted at work. What exactly is this "physical attractiveness" phenomenon and how does it affect each and every one of us? Dr. Gordon L. Patzer has devoted the last 30 years to investigating this unsettling phenomenon for both women and men, and how it touches every part of our lives. In Looks, he reveals not only its impact on romance, but also on family dynamics, performance in school, career, courtroom proceedings, politics and government. Looks is the first book to explore how the power of beauty affects both sexes and how the rise of reality TV shows, cosmetic surgery, and celebrity culture have contributed to our culture?s overall obsession with being beautiful. Unflinching and topical, Looks uncovers the sometimes ugly truth about beauty and its profound effects on all our lives. | |
| About the author | |
Gordon L. Patzer (Chicago, IL) has held various executive positions in and out of the academic world. He is currently Dean of Chicago?s Roosevelt University, and serves as the Director and Founder of the Appearance Phenomenon Institute. Dr. Patzer has investigated ?lookism? and the physical attractiveness phenomenon for more than 30 years and has been featured in such publications as The Los Angeles Times, Harper?s Bazaar, Mademoiselle, Elle, and Self Magazine. He has also been featured on Dateline NBC, The Today Show, and The O?Reilly Factor. | |
| Table of contents | |
Contents INTRODUCTION: Looks, Lookism, and the Media 1 CHAPTER 1: Older Than Civilization 8 CHAPTER 2: Pass the Genes, Please: How Looks Drive Dating, Courtship, and Marriage 22 CHAPTER 3: As the Twig Is Bent: How Physical Attractiveness Affects Family Dynamics 45 CHAPTER 4: Readin’, ’Ritin’, ’Rithmetic, ’n’ Ridicule 57 CHAPTER 5: The Job Is Looking Good 73 CHAPTER 6: Rendering Judgment: How Looks Affect Courtroom Results 90 CHAPTER 7: Physiognomy and Public Service 109 CHAPTER 8: Seeing Is Believing 125 CHAPTER 9: The Dark Side of Physical Attractiveness 158 CHAPTER 10: What Price for Good Looks? 175 CHAPTER 11: The Big Business of Beauty 203 EPILOGUE: Rising Above the Effects of Lookism 217 NOTES 231 REFERENCES 253 INDEX 273 | |
