Why those on the Right are more likely to be lookers

LIBERALS have long been stereotyped as scruffy sandal-wearers in need of a proper haircut.

And now a study has concluded that Left-wingers really may be more unattractive than those with more Right-wing views.

Good-looking people, according to the researchers, are more likely to be Right-wing because they have always been treated well and faced fewer challenges in life.

This lack of hardship gives them a ‘blind spot’ when it comes to others’ misfortunes, which makes them less supportive of government intervention.

The study, led by Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania, reviewed two surveys in which people were rated for their attractiveness and asked for their political beliefs.

Lead author Dr Rolfe Peterson said: ‘Attractiveness matters. When we are treated differently we begin to perceive the world differently.’

The study states: ‘Because attractive

‘Easier passage through life’

individuals benefit from social interactions and are generally given more attention and granted more expertise, their passage through life may be “easier” (compared to less attractive individuals). Therefore, on average, they may not recognise the challenges others face in life.’

It concludes: ‘In a sense, attractive individuals have a blind spot that leads them to not see the need for more government support or aid in society.’

Researchers reviewed a survey including one of 2,000 people who were interviewed about political beliefs and then rated by their interviewer on a five-point scale from ‘homely’ to handsome or beautiful.

A second survey taken into account asked men and women to rate more than 5,000 people from their high school yearbook pictures.

In both cases, people rated as most attractive were most likely to be Rightwing, even taking income and education into account.

The study, published in the journal Politics and the Life Sciences, was careful to stress that not all conservatives are attractive nor all liberals unattractive.