The benefits of beauty – Individual differences in the pro-attractiveness bias in social decision making

Abstract While there already is a huge body of research examining the advantages and disadvantages physical attractiveness in social economic decisions, little has been made to explore role individual differences decision-making with regard beauty. To close this scientific gap, we conducted multiparadigm online study ( N = 210; 52% females) which participants were asked make decisions four different games facing differently attractive counterparts. Additionally, personality trait agreeableness was assessed test for decision-making. In exploratory analyses, also facet most appropriate predict various games. study, able replicate finding beauty premium plainness penalty but did not find any support idea penalty. Furthermore, evidence an opposite-sex advantage found, greater when men women than other way around. as overall influenced decision making across paradigms, interactions distinct facets partners’ remain heterogeneous ambiguous. This underlines importance integrating specificity certain traits experimental necessity combining them situations.