Effects of social deviance labels on judgements of facial attractiveness: A comparison of labelling procedures using Japanese raters

Are people labelled as social deviants also perceived as less physically attractive? Four studies conducted in Japan examined judgements of male social-deviants' attractiveness using several labelling procedures. Study 1 determined attractiveness judgement and social distance of various social groups, and Study 2 examined the effect of three labels on attractiveness judgement of 16 portraits. In Studies 3 and 4 subjects were asked to match 8 or an unlimited number of the 16 portraits with the same 3 labels. Findings indicate that labelling a person negatively resulted in a decrease in attractiveness ratings. Overall, however, the labelling pattern was found to affect attractiveness judgement. Finally, this study provides cross-cultural support for the stereotypical association between social deviants and low attractiveness.