People Want Their Leaders to Look Healthy - East Idaho News

People Want Their Leaders to Look Healthy

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Getty 110714 Businessman?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1415390479917iStock/Thinkstock(AMSTERDAM) — Did Republicans do well against Democrats because they looked healthier?

Researchers at VU University Amsterdam say that people are naturally drawn to healthy-looking politicians than ones who exude intelligence. The same principle of attraction also applies to potential business leaders.

Lead author Brian Spisak had about 150 people observe a pair of photos that showed someone looking more or less healthy or more or less intelligent without telling the participants that each photo was of the same man whose face was digitally altered.

In almost seven out of 10 cases when asked to make a choice for a CEO, participants favored the healthy face except in cases when the person would have to run negotiations or find new markets.

Spisak says that explains why politicians and captains of industry take extra time with their appearance. In general, the public will choose leaders who are healthy-looking unless it’s for a specific need when intelligence seems to trump looks.


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