A study published in Archives of Sexual Behavior, says: Participants claim that when choosing friends, colleagues, and coworkers, they value friendliness and liveliness more than beauty. But the authors of the study caution: The fact that people they say, does not always coincide with their actual behavior. Why? Because we often mistake our wishes for reality—especially when it comes to “decent” answers.
The study “Erotic Capital: The Role of Attractiveness in Employment and Personal Life" was written by Katarzyna Wojtaszyk and Marcena Siper-Endzhedzhak.
Erotic Capital — is the combination of qualities that make us attractive to others. These include beauty, social charm, sexual charisma, a zest for life, and the ability to present oneself well.
If you've mastered all five of these qualities, your chances of acing the interview increase significantly.
The concept of “erotic capital,” coined by sociologist Catherine Hakim. It’s not just about sexuality, but about a set of attractive qualities:
Presentation — clothing, makeup, grooming, style.
Beauty — a symmetrical face, clear skin, and good proportions.
Social Appeal — friendliness, empathy, sociability.
Sexual Charisma — confidence, self-presentation, flirting (in moderation).
Liveliness — energy, a sense of humor, curiosity.
"If people claim that physical attractiveness doesn't matter in the hiring process, but empirical data suggests otherwise, then unconscious biases do influence decision-making after all.".
🧪 How was the study conducted?
An online survey in Poland of 471 people (mostly young women under 30 with professional experience). Respondents were asked to rate the importance of 23 traits in three scenarios:
:. a meeting with a stranger in a private setting,
:. job interview,
:. A review from a colleague you've worked with before.
All 23 traits were divided into five categories of “erotic capital.”
📊 What did we find out?
In the workplace Once again, warmth and energy come out on top.
Inpersonal life People value kindness, empathy, and a sense of humor—much more than physical appearance.
At the interview It turned out that a presentable appearance and sociability were more important than a pretty face.
But there's a catch.
Although the respondents said that physical attractiveness wasn't that important to them, this contradicts previous studies. Those studies actually show that beauty does have a real impact on hiring, salaries, and performance evaluations.
Why is there such a gap?
Because people tend to answer the way they “should,” rather than the way they really feel. This is called “social desirability”—when you feel uncomfortable admitting that you rate attractive people higher than unattractive ones.
Gender differences were also evident:
Young people are more concerned with their appearance, while older participants place greater value on personal qualities and presentation.
Men They tend to focus more on sexuality.
Women — friendliness, liveliness, and style.
Now we have to invest in "erotic capital" as well.
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