Why do we judge others by their looks/appearance? - Page 4

Originally posted by: moomin4455

There is a mathematical formula derived for what can be termed 'a beautiful face'. It relies on proportions of the golden ratio.

As for looks, well from a biological standpoint good looks normally equate to symmetrical faces, which can be indicative of a healthy genetic background. It can be construed as a type of mate selection that we do as a reflex.

I also agree with Krani, we have so much visual stimuli to contend with, judging based on looks and I'm including clothes here to make a preliminary assessment is the only way to function. If we have any sense we will realise that this is just a first impression; it's not an accurate impression.

Originally posted by: -Aarya-

The exact point I was trying to make :)

Now going back to the original question posted by TM, we judge people on their appearance because the way our beliefs are formed in the subconscious mind (a result of repetition) . For example, let's say we were told from childhood that we should not judge a book by its cover then you will grow up as an adult who will never judge people by appearance...

But then I wonder about love at first sight, is it real...

Originally posted by: Miss Cherie

Why do people judge others based on their appearance? Weren't we all told that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover when we were young?

And if that's the case then why do so many people judge others by how they look and by their external appearance?

Let's face it. We all have judged other people by their external appearance atleast at some point in our lives. I even confess to rejecting advances from some guys who I thought were not good looking enough for me when I was in my late teens.

Why do we assume that someone may be a crminal just because they "look like a criminal"?

Note: Please do not engage in the men/vs women battle of who judges based on looks more. Thanks.😊

Originally posted by: Riyasi

Ordering a dress from a catalogue and a dish from a menu are based on conditioned reflexes, not appearances alone.Firstly both involve inanimate objects, hence first impressions don't really change much later as human beings can change.

If we are trying something totally new and unheard of, we are prepared to be surprised and not ready to like it whereas if selecting a known dish we have an idea of what to expect.

Similarly a dress chosen from a cataloue looks most suitable to us from all the other given choices on the same catalogue.We select after assessing its relative goodness.

Judging a person based on looks alone without interacting is different in the sense that we are unconsciously doing this act and as someone rightly posted earlier, it reflects more on the person judging than the subject. Appreciating/deprecating someone's appearance is totally acceptable unless we go one step further and judge him/her right away based on that criteria alone.

I agree with you on looks playing an important part in shaping of a personality initially but time and experiences are the biggest levellers.

Originally posted by: Riyasi

Ordering a dress from a catalogue and a dish from a menu are based on conditioned reflexes, not appearances alone.Firstly both involve inanimate objects, hence first impressions don't really change much later as human beings can change.

Bad analogy, I agree.. 😛 but I disagree that impressions don't change about the clothes and food .. there are a lot of factors that make you want to eat something one day and totally hate it the next .. or want to wear one dress one day and throw it out the next, at least in my case!

If we are trying something totally new and unheard of, we are prepared to be surprised and not ready to like it whereas if selecting a known dish we have an idea of what to expect.

Umm.. sounds like dating to me! 😛 The first time you are all excited and after a while .. you know what to expect 😳

Similarly a dress chosen from a cataloue looks most suitable to us from all the other given choices on the same catalogue.We select after assessing its relative goodness.

Do I need to draw an analogy here? 😆

We can look at it in two ways.. one, arranged marriages and matrimony websites .. another .. where you look around in a gathering/party/bar for potential boyfriends? 😛

Judging a person based on looks alone without interacting is different in the sense that we are unconsciously doing this act and as someone rightly posted earlier, it reflects more on the person judging than the subject. Appreciating/deprecating someone's appearance is totally acceptable unless we go one step further and judge him/her right away based on that criteria alone.

Agreed though I didn't actually understand what you meant by unconsciously. I personally overthink everything.. so maybe I don't actually judge a person based on just their appearance .. hmm.

I agree with you on looks playing an important part in shaping of a personality initially but time and experiences are the biggest levellers.

Originally posted by: Vintage.Wine

Aah ! Right ...But are we all not judging each other here by what we think / write or how a few pretend to be someone they are not ..If we could spot that.. ? ...😆...That's how we make our first impression about people here I bet...

I knew it 😲 😲 .. but now I know for sure..

I know you judged me based on what I wrote.. dint ya, Vintu 😭

Which I guess is the best way to adhere to, while making judgments about people even for real ..In real life I mean ..rather than going by chintzy appearances ..

Unfortunately it doesn't work that way.. that's exactly what the TM was trying to say .. when you meet someone face to face, the first thing you notice is their appearance .. but yes it would be great if we could read minds or understand what someone was thinking (of course assuming people here write what they are thinking and not what they want others to think that they are thinking 🤔), so we don't judge a person based just on their looks.

And this is why a few might believe I look like a Bad Man, A sloven one ? ...but no hell ...😆 ..In reality I look like The Batman .. Trust ME.. ...Yeah...!! ..😆

Hee hee.. I see what you did there. 😉

No one knows what Batman looks like .. doesn't he wear a mask? 😛

So that is why you didn't show up the other day !

Next time I will remember..

Originally posted by: Krani

Hmm I disagree with that. I don't remember being taught that as a child honestly, and when it comes to relationships, for me looks become secondary.

I think there are two types of attractions.

Physical attraction which comprises of just the shallow admiring of somebody's looks and deciding whether you like them or not.

Emotional attraction - this according to me is deeper, as it involves their personality, characteristics, and the other traits you look for in a man/woman

~K

Originally posted by: -Aarya-

I was referring to how we pass judgements on people based on the way our beliefs are formed from being a child to becoming an adult (the way we are brought up or taught or cultural influence or the society) and not specific to attractions.

I think passing judgment is something that has been engrained in us, the thought process when you look at another person is to objectify their similarities or their differences or their appearance, etc. And isn't the subject of passing judgment tied in with one's awareness of their judgments on another and a willingness to expand one's tolerance...