2018/12/10 by Alexandra Fleischmann, Joris Lammers, Janka I. Stoker +1 · 1 citation
Psychology · Neuroscience · Social Sciences · #Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior #Aesthetic Perception and Analysis #Social and Intergroup Psychology #Psychology #Social psychology #Competence (human resources) #Perception
paper · doi:10.1027/1864-9335/a000359
openalex created_date 2018/08/22 · openalex publication_date 2018/12/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Abstract. Does wearing glasses hurt or help politicians in elections? Although some research shows that glasses signal unattractiveness, glasses also increase perceptions of competence. In eight studies, participants voted for politicians wearing (photoshopped) glasses or not. Wearing glasses increased politicians’ electoral success in the US (Study 1), independent of their political orientation (Studies 2a and 2b). This positive effect was especially strong when intelligence was important (Study 3), and even occurred if glasses were used strategically (Study 4). However, it did not extend to India (Study 5) due to different cultural associations with glasses (Study 6). Furthermore, while intelligence mediated the effect, warmth did not (Study 7). In summary, wearing glasses can robustly boost electoral success, at least in Western cultures.