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Is Beauty only Skin-deep? Disentangling the Beauty Premium on a Game Show

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  • Belot, Michele
  • Bhaskar, V
  • van de Ven, Jeroen

Abstract

This paper analyzes behavior on a TV game show where players’ monetary payoffs depend upon an array of factors, including ability in answering questions, perceived cooperativeness and the willingness of other players to choose them. We find a substantial beauty premium and are able to disentangle contributing factors. Attractive players perform no differently than less attractive ones, on every dimension. They also exhibit and engender the same degree of cooperativeness. Nevertheless, attractive players are substantially less likely to be eliminated by their peers. Our results suggest a consumption value basis for the beauty premium.

Suggested Citation

  • Belot, Michele & Bhaskar, V & van de Ven, Jeroen, 2007. "Is Beauty only Skin-deep? Disentangling the Beauty Premium on a Game Show," Economics Discussion Papers 8908, University of Essex, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:esx:essedp:8908
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Richard Florida & Charlotta Mellander & Kevin Stolarick, 2011. "Beautiful Places: The Role of Perceived Aesthetic Beauty in Community Satisfaction," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(1), pages 33-48.

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    Keywords

    beauty premium; discrimination.;

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