Editing Popularity (section)

=== Attractiveness ===
Attractiveness, specifically [[physical attractiveness]], has been shown to have very profound effects on popularity.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=de Bruyn |first1=Eddy H. |author2=van den Boom, Dymphna C.|title=Interpersonal Behavior, Peer Popularity, and Self-esteem in Early Adolescence|journal=Social Development|date=1 November 2005|volume=14|issue=4|pages=555–573|doi=10.1111/j.1467-9507.2005.00317.x
}}</ref> People who are physically attractive are more likely to be thought of as possessing positive traits. People who are attractive are expected to perform better on tasks and are more likely to be trusted.<ref name=":1" /> Additionally, they are judged to possess many other positive traits such as mental health, intelligence, social awareness, and dominance.<ref name=Feingold>{{cite journal|last=Feingold|first=Alan|title=Good-looking people are not what we think|journal=Psychological Bulletin|date=March 1992|volume=111|issue=2|pages=304–341|doi=10.1037/0033-2909.111.2.304 |s2cid=144166220}}</ref>

Additionally, people who are of above average attractiveness are assumed to also be of above average value to the group. Research shows that attractive people are often perceived to have many positive traits based on nothing other than their looks, regardless of how accurate these perceptions are.<ref name=Webster>{{cite journal|last1=Webster Jr.|first1=Murray|author2=James E. Driskell Jr.|title=Beauty as Status|journal=American Journal of Sociology|date=July 1983|volume=89|issue=1|pages=140–165|jstor=2779050|doi=10.1086/227836|s2cid=146349353}}</ref> This phenomenon is known as the [[Halo effect]]<ref name=":1" /> This means that, in addition to being more well-liked, attractive people are more likely to be seen as bringing actual value to the group, even when they may be of little or no value at all. In essence, physically attractive people are given the benefit of the doubt while less attractive individuals must prove that they are bringing value to the group.<ref name=Borch /> It has been shown empirically that being physically attractive is correlated with both sociometric and perceived popularity. Some possible explanations for this include increased social visibility and an increased level of tolerance for aggressive, social interactions that may increase perceived popularity.<ref name=Borch />