MIAMI, Apr 23, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A University of Miami study reveals
physical attractiveness, personality and grooming can affect grades in high
school.
Michael T. French, one of the authors of the study, said several previous
studies found that physical attractiveness is significantly related to labor
market earnings for men and women.
However, the study found that physical attractiveness was not the most important
non-cognitive predictor of grades, French said.
"Instead grooming and personality were stronger predictors of academic success
in high school for boys and girls, respectively," French said in a statement.
The study also found that:
-- Physical attractiveness has a positive effect on grade-point average for both
genders, but only when considered alone.
-- When physical attractiveness is considered along with grooming and
personality, the positive effect of physical attractiveness on high school GPA
turns negative for both genders.
-- For male students, grooming delivers the biggest overall effect on GPA.
-- For female students, personality is positively related to GPA.
-- All else equal, Hispanics and African-Americans have lower GPAs than whites
and girls have higher GPAs than males.
-- Receiving public assistance is negatively associated with GPA.
The findings are published in the journal of Labor Economics.
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