unattractiveness

Unattractiveness refers to the perceived lack of physical attractiveness of a person as judged by others. It is a subjective and culturally variable assessment rather than a fixed attribute, and it does not imply health, moral character, or competence.

Assessments of attractiveness are influenced by features such as facial symmetry, averageness of facial proportions, skin condition, grooming, body proportions, and expression. Cultural norms, media portrayals, and situational context shape what is considered attractive, so the status of being "unattractive" can vary across groups and time periods.

Social consequences: Individuals labeled unattractive may experience bias in social interactions, dating markets, education, and employment. The literature documents a halo effect for attractive people and, conversely, negative stereotyping for those deemed unattractive, though these judgments are probabilistic and context-dependent. Physical attractiveness is an imperfect predictor of behavioral traits and should not be used to infer worth.

Ethical and pragmatic note: Emphasizing unattractiveness can stigmatize people and ignore the diversity of human appearance. In research, attractiveness is typically measured with standardized scales and in blind conditions to minimize bias. Broader discussions emphasize respecting dignity and focusing on non-appearance-based evaluations in social decision-making.