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Tuesday, March 2, 1999 Published at 11:58 GMT


Talking Point


Do beautiful people have better lives?

If you've got it, then flaunt it because research shows that being blessed with good looks paves the way for a fantastic life.

Harvard psychologist Dr Nancy Etcoff has written a book called Survival of the Fittest: The Science of Beauty, in which she says attractive men and women are sprinkled with stardust from the beginning.

Her findings show:

  • Mothers are more likely to make a fuss of pretty babies.

  • Teachers think good-looking pupils are "smarter and more sociable".

  • Police officers, judges and juries are more lenient towards beautiful people.

  • If you break down in your car, the better looking you are the more likely someone is to stop and help you out.

    Dr Etcoff also believes that we do not learn to appreciate good looks from the world around us, but that we are born with "beauty detectors".

    When three-month-old babies were shown pictures of people, they stared the longest at the most attractive specemins.

    Is beauty the key to a happy life?

    In a world obsessed with beauty more people are turning to plastic surgery in the hope of a better life.

    But Dr Etcoff says although they may get a good deal out of life, this does not necessarily guarantee happiness.

    She said: "Beautiful people are perhaps a little bit happier, but not as much as we might imagine, given all their advantages."

    What do you think?

    Do beautiful people have better lives?

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