Handsome men and beautiful women tend to be cleverer.
To estimate the magnitude of the association between general intelligence and physical attractiveness, researchers at London School of Economics followed 17,419 Britons since they were born in March 1958.
It was found that men who were physically attractive had IQs an average 13.6 points above the norm, whereas physically attractive women were about 11.4 points higher than average. From the study it appears that those already physically blessed attract partners who are not just good-looking, but also intelligent.
The researchers also suggested that the children of these couples would end up with both qualities, building a genetic link over successive generations between them. The results were arrived at based on their academic progress and intelligence, as well as their appearance.
The findings dispel the myth of the dumb blondes or good-looking men not being very bright and suggest that physical attractiveness is significantly positively associated with general intelligence, both with and without controls for social class, body size and health.
To estimate the magnitude of the association between general intelligence and physical attractiveness, researchers at London School of Economics followed 17,419 Britons since they were born in March 1958.
It was found that men who were physically attractive had IQs an average 13.6 points above the norm, whereas physically attractive women were about 11.4 points higher than average. From the study it appears that those already physically blessed attract partners who are not just good-looking, but also intelligent.
The researchers also suggested that the children of these couples would end up with both qualities, building a genetic link over successive generations between them. The results were arrived at based on their academic progress and intelligence, as well as their appearance.
The findings dispel the myth of the dumb blondes or good-looking men not being very bright and suggest that physical attractiveness is significantly positively associated with general intelligence, both with and without controls for social class, body size and health.