Does Personality Change Appearance?

[Skipadeedoodah]

I was having a talk with my 7 year old niece recently, and like any one who identifies as "The Fun Aunt" I started gossiping with her about boys. The conversation drifted to this boy that she likes in her class. He's nice, cute, funny and so on. It just so happens that he is a twin, and his identical twin brother is also in the same class. I mentioned to my niece how lucky she is to have two cute boys in her class. I was pretty surprised when she told me that his identical twin brother is ugly. I reminded my niece that the boys are identical twins, and that they look exactly the same. She insisted that the other boy is ugly, and eventually explained that it's because he's mean.

At first I thought this was just funny, but the more I thought about it the more it got me thinking - does your perception of people's physical attractiveness change as you get to know their personality?

Mine totally does. Once I stopped and thought about it, I can think of several specific examples in which someone I found incredibly attractive at first becomes completely visually unappealing to me after getting to know their personality or having certain negative experiences with them. On the flip side, people I found not so desirable when I first met them have actually becoming more appealing to me physically as I got to know and enjoy their personality. This doesn't only apply to guys. There are plenty of women with whom I've had the exact same kind of experience, and the more I think about it, it's pretty fascinating to me how my general preferences for what I find attractive haven't changed, and yet how attractive I find individual people can change drastically in either direction based on my experiences with that person.

Anyone else?

 

[Gothika]

yep personality does it for me

 

[maniactickler]

Yes, a bad personality can definately make even an attractive girl far less appealing. and a great personality can make an average looking girl more attractive. of course all the personality in the world cant help ugly. im proof of that.

 

[TropicThunder]

When was a kid, this quote from 'The Twits' always stuck with me. Whenever someone brings up a topic like this, it always bring me back to it.

 

[GQguy]

Definitely!

 

[Ticklerguy4u]

I think that it certainly helps but unfortunately sometimes it doesn't work. It depends on the people you are lucky enough to be surrounded by.

 

[-Hari-]

of course, I would probably be less attractive than I already am if I had a grumpy personality, I would be frowning all the time instead of smiling. The way you act dictates the way you're seen and that builds up your overall character and is essential in terms of how people feel when they look at you.

 

[Capnmad]

At first I thought this was just funny, but the more I thought about it the more it got me thinking - does your perception of people's physical attractiveness change as you get to know their personality?

For me, it's not that it changes the attractiveness of a person on a static image basis, but rather that now I interpret their gestures somewhat differently... An image will still be as attractive (unless they've done something or shown a part of themselves that is truly objectionable -- probably behavior approaching narcissistic or sociopathic), but I'll be more inclined to think something specific of a smile, gesture or glance -- more likely to assign a certain range of thought or motive -- once I feel I've got a decent grasp of someone's personality. It works in this fashion both positively and negatively.

 

[Marquis De Sade]

Yes. It explains why I think Megan Fox is ugly.

 

[c7_assassin]

Yes. It explains why I think Megan Fox is ugly.

Ooh! Jenny McCarthy!

<a href="http://s932.photobucket.com/albums/ad163/j_gallag/?action=view&current=jenny_mccarthy_ok_magazine_april_2012_uOmDYWpsized-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i932.photobucket.com/albums/ad163/j_gallag/jenny_mccarthy_ok_magazine_april_2012_uOmDYWpsized-1.jpg" border="0" alt="jenny_mccarthy_ok_magazine_april_2012_uOmDYWpsized-1"></a>

 

[MrMacphisto]

Yep, attractiveness is half personality.

 

[Cosmo_ac]

Jesus, I haven't seen Ticklerguy's sig in ages. Glad to see he is still alive. That asside, I would say yes, personality does change appearence.

Human's are a weird bunch. We see what we like, and we are good for a little while. Then we get to know a person, and that makes all the difference in the world. I've sen girls who I would fuck all week. That's just based on a physical appearance though. Some of those girls, once I got to know them, I would not want to fuck them. Well, maybe fuck them if their were no strings attached, but a relationship, no. For a relationship, one wants something etter then a nice pair of tits and a great ass. We want something we can cling on to.

 

[Ocean]

Yes to an extent; in a relationship where a partner changes and exhibits abrasive behavior toward the other, the receiving partner generally becomes less attracted to their "lover." Also in my experience, I have had interactions with women whom I was not sexually attracted to at first, and later found my perception changing as I warmed up to who they are.

 

[GEORGIATKLER]

Certainly. My friends know that the ONLY kind of girls that will date me are the ones with a "great personality"...........Oh wait, that's very different. Yeah, none of us guys want that cute but evil twin vibe!! Initial attraction may be based more on appearance, but for the long haul in a relationship, a sweet, understanding personality is key. Anyway, the eyes are the second thing to go, so like duh!!

 

[Bohemianne]

My answer is no.

1. I have a reservation that at some point or another, a person acts his worst or best depending on whom he/she interacts with.
2. Love or strong feeling can at times override what the eyes can see.
3. There is always bias when one is not treated well.

 

[JoePTickle]

I believe so. And over time, I believe that how you are in the inside begins to manifest itself in how you look on the outside. Abraham Lincoln once said something to the effect of "every man over 40 is responsible for his face."

 

[Ticklerguy4u]

Jesus, I haven't seen Ticklerguy's sig in ages.

haha. It has been ages. Almost two years. Long story...short. I gave up paying internet to help out family and never caught up.

 

[Musicroxmysox]

Oh it totally does. Personalities entirely make me view someone in different lights and as always it can go both ways.

 

[Angel_2]

I've always felt a nasty personality on even the hottest women can make them very unattractive. Looks will fade over time and if a person has been mean or full of themselves it won't reflect well on then later in years. Don't get me wrong looks do count for something I don't believe any of us could date a person we weren't attracted to but physical attraction aside what's left? Personality. Its to me the key to really winning over that special person in your life.

 

[rhiannon]

does your perception of people's physical attractiveness change as you get to know their personality?

Definitely. When I first met my husband, he wasn't my "type" at all. When I started falling in love with him, I couldn't remember anymore why I didn't find him attractive at first.

 

[Coup de Grace]

Absolutely. There are certain personality traits that are door-slamming turn-offs: arrogance and negativity to name a few. I can't stand people that are full of themselves no matter how hot they are and I don't want to be around someone that is bringing me down with their negative attitude.

I have a friend that's decently attractive, say a 6 out of 10 if I had to grade, but her personality makes her an 8 because she's fun and bubbly. The fact that we have similar interests have something to do with it as well. The way she tilts her head, smiles, says "hi" and bounces around makes me want to bend her over a table and have my way with her.