Hur påverkas vi av andras utseende? Behandlar vi fula annorlunda än vackra? Jag gör det definitivt. Även läkare, som det verkar, enligt studien ”Are Physicians’ Ratings of Pain Affected by Patients’ Physical Attractiveness?”, publicerad i Social Science & Medicine:

The results showed that physician’s ratings of pain were influenced both by attractiveness of patients and by nonverbal expressions of pain. Unattractive patients, and patients who were expressing pain, were perceived as experiencing more pain, distress, and negative affective experiences than attractive patients and patients who were not expressing pain. Unattractive patients also received higher ratings of solicitude on the doctor’s part and lower ratings of health than attractive patients. Physician’s assessments of pain appear to be influenced by the physical attractiveness of the patient.

I det här fallet är det dock inte klart om det är en fördel att vara vacker. Vill man inte, som patient, att läkaren ska uppfatta det som att man upplever smärta?