Physical appearance vs. Intelligence: A Serious Question.

[Bronco70]

If it's easier to write someone off on looks than intelligence why is it "worse" to insult appearance?

I said it was easier, not the better thing to do. I was trying to illustrate that there is a higher sensitivity to appearance based criticism because people are more likely to judge you initially on your appearance than on your intelligence. So, more people feel bad about themselves for being "unattractive" than "dumb".

 

[One Brow]

Doesn't that seem a little backwards? Very un-scientific.

Absolutely. Since when do people behave scientifically?

 

[moevillini]

Absolutely. Since when do people behave scientifically?

au contraire, mon ami



Other than reflexive actions, or those controlled by autonomic systems, I think most human behavior is scientifically based. We're always observing, accumulating and integrating knowlege, forming conjectures and predictions, testing them out, evaluating their effects, revising when necessary. Just because it may be emotionally driven and not always rational doesn't mean that principles of a hypothetico-deductive model haven't been utilized.

 

[One Brow]

Just because it may be emotionally driven and not always rational doesn't mean that principles of a hypothetico-deductive model haven't been utilized.

We love to tell ourselves what rational creatures we are. Research into our behavior shows we are better at rationalizing than being rational.

 

[sirkickyass]

I said it was easier, not the better thing to do. I was trying to illustrate that there is a higher sensitivity to appearance based criticism because people are more likely to judge you initially on your appearance than on your intelligence. So, more people feel bad about themselves for being "unattractive" than "dumb".

A related point: if someone says that you are dumb or that something you say/write is dumb you have a recourse. You can defend your idea that elicited the comment. They may still think you're dumb after the fact but you have a mode of defense.

If someone says you're ugly, there's not a lot you can do about that.

 

[JohnStockalypse]

You can just as easily defend against comments about your physical appearance by saying "Whatever, whatever, I KNOW I look GOOD!!! I'm DAMN sexxxy!!!" They may still think you're ugly after the fact but there's your defense. This doesn't really answer the original question though: Why does society as a whole see comments about someone's physical appearance as more childish, immature, and mean spirited than comments about intelligence?

 

[moevillini]

...This doesn't really answer the original question though: Why does society as a whole see comments about someone's physical appearance as more childish, immature, and mean spirited than comments about intelligence?

in addition to kicky's comment, I also think insults to one's intelligience are interpreted as being situational -
relative to a specific action more than an overall description of intelligience.

Even though it may not be said in so many words, it's taken as you did a dumb thing.

Just like if you insults someone's appearance as you're looking at them, it would be interpreted as a comment on their looks at that time, not as an overall statement.

That would be different than a general comment that someone is ugly when they're not present.

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

[PearlWatson]

Any thoughts on why most people look down more on someone who insults physical appearance over intelligence?

Liberal PC BS carried over from their racial fixations. Also, liberals usually have "appearance inadequacies" they are trying to compensate for so the only insult they have left to fling once they lose the debate on its merits is to call their political opponents stupid. You saw it with Reagan, Bush (a pilot, MBA), and they think it is especially funny to insult the intelligence of conservative women especially if they are beautiful.

 

[Gameface]

If someone says you're ugly, there's not a lot you can do about that.

Sure there is. You could seduce their wife and post the video on the internet.

Happens all the time...

 

[Scat]

Jonah Hill did something about it. Sad part is, his fatness was part of his schtick. Not sure how funny he'll be as a slimmed down dude.

 

[porqsmith]

Jonah Hill did something about it. Sad part is, his fatness was part of his schtick. Not sure how funny he'll be as a slimmed down dude.

He's still pretty fat.

 

[The-Joker]

He's still pretty fat.

I guarantee he's below average weight for his height... when you lose that much you have a lot of flub leftover.