Labeling Theory Of Attractiveness

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Researchers are attempting to determine if one’s level physical attractiveness leads to a life of crime. It has been discussed that those who are physically attractive, may be targeted by crime and those unattractive are more likely to be the ones committing the crime. In 1876, Lombroso studied levels of attractiveness of the face and torso of many prisoners. He concluded that criminals were biologically less developed in their foreheads and had hairy arms. Hooton conducted similar studies as Lombroso and he established that criminals had a large variety of unattractive features such as large ears, pointy chins, and small droopy eyes. In the 1950s, Robert Merton suggested the Stain Theory. The Strain Theory claimed that repeated negative interactions with other members of a society resulted in low self-esteem and emotional strain. The emotional strain could push an individual into criminal behavior. …show more content…
These theories suggest that people become what society labels them to be. Recently, researchers have been studying individual genetic traits like attractiveness and characteristics like aggression. They hypothesized that it is the characteristic of aggression, not attractiveness, that leads to a life of criminality. Female theorists have pointed out that the concept of physical attractiveness is placed more on women than on men. Perhaps this is because women are objectified based on their looks without considering their personality or intelligence. The Internet is also leading to more crime because of physical attractiveness. Individuals create fake personas to lead people to meet the offender in person which can lead to crimes like rape and prostitution. Although physical attractiveness is preferred and history has urged society to fear the unattractive, there is no clear link between physical attractiveness and