Facial attractiveness as a moderator of the association between social and physical aggression and popularity in adolescents.
This study examined the relations between facial attractiveness, aggression, and popularity in adolescence to determine whether facial attractiveness would buffer against the negative effects of aggression on popularity. We collected ratings of facial attractiveness from standardized photographs, and teachers provided information on adolescents' social aggression, physical aggression, and popularity for 143 seventh graders (70 girls). Regression analyses indicated that facial attractiveness moderated the relations between both types of aggression and popularity. Aggression was associated with a reduction in popularity for adolescents low on facial attractiveness. However, popularity did not decrease as a function of aggression for adolescents high on facial attractiveness. Aggressors with high facial attractiveness may experience fewer negative consequences to their social standing, thus contributing to higher overall rates of aggression in school settings.
Rosen
Lisa H
LH
School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, PO Box 830688, GR 41, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
Underwood
Marion K
MK
D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D001504:Beauty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012928:Social Desirability