Neuroscience: The Aesthetic Brain. NATURE. While the amygdala is central to our evaluation of threat, it also contributes to judgments of trustworthiness. This overlap might be efficient for the brain, but as a side effect it could play a part in what psychologists call the attractiveness halo effect—a reflexive presumption that external beauty indicates overall goodness. Such a neural short cut can lead to all sorts of social benefits for attractive people, from better grades to more lenient punishments. A recent study shows that people presented with hiring scenarios are more likely to award higher salaries to more attractive people. Researchers contend that society should address this bias as much as it does for other prejudices. Efforts to minimize the effects of facial appearance on court decisions and hiring selection should be considered. (October 7, 2015.) www.nature.com/nature/journal/v526/n7572_supp/full/526S2a.html
By studying how the brain responds to beauty, researchers hope to understand why we give some people an easier ride or appreciate certain artworks.
