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Image isn’t everything: Personality attractiveness, physical attractiveness, and self-employment earnings

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  • Marcus T. Wolfe

    (University of North Texas)

  • Pankaj C. Patel

    (Villanova University)

Abstract

Complementing studies on physical attractiveness and labor market outcomes, we use the information on physical and personality attractiveness rated by interviewers from four waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (ADD Health) for 1,485 individuals (73 female and 60 male self-employed). Though neither physical attractiveness nor personality attractiveness is related to self-employment earnings individually, females who are self-employed with both physical attractiveness and personality attractiveness have higher earnings. There are no effects of both attractiveness types for males (employed or self-employed) or females (employed) on earnings.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcus T. Wolfe & Pankaj C. Patel, 2024. "Image isn’t everything: Personality attractiveness, physical attractiveness, and self-employment earnings," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 62(2), pages 807-831, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:62:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1007_s11187-023-00784-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-023-00784-0
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    earnings; personality attractiveness; physical attractiveness; self-employment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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