Why exactly does 'looking good' work?

[caspex]

Looking good can make social interactions much smoother and many times helps you get stuff done quicker. I think we all know the gist of the benefits. My question is, why? Is it all the health and fertility indicators that tricks are monkey brains into favoring this person or is there more of a psychological role? I get that a good physique, at least for men, shows that this person, despite all his personality traits, has some sort of consistency and ability to put in the work. One example I think about is Simmons in Whiplash. 

Think about it, as you watch the movie, you sort of hate the guy but there's also an understanding of why he does it that way.  People who watch that movie typically don't tend to describe Simmon's character as hypocritical upon first watch. But I believe that the story would change if he was fat and unfit. Suddenly, for most people, the emotions would flip. At least I would have seen all his demands and precision as hypocritical. I'd feel this subconsciously, but it'd be there. The presence of a bad physique would show to me the absolute lack of discipline and self-control this person has, and the fact that he demands such precision from others would be very hypocritical. If he was neither fit nor unfit, but average, this feeling wouldn't be quite strong, but it'd be somewhere in the middle, and being fit definitely helped his case.
 

But that's a very easy example. What about good facial structure, a good frame, being tall and other genetic lotteries? We understand that those features do not require any inner work to achieve, it's handed to you from birth. But people still get 'tricked' by it, if you know what I mean. I understand that evolutionary speaking being taller and having a bigger frame gets you more reach in fighting situations and it also indicates that the person was well-fed and under good conditions, but what does a person, subjectively, feel and really think that attracts them?

I think it's also important to note that I am asking these from the context of your everyday normal and social life and person. For a spiritual guru, attractiveness stops mattering as much and I actually think an attractive spiritual guru can be quite the hindrance. Spirituality is really working against all the survival programming so that checks out.

[LordFall]

Because you're an biological machine mostly made to fuck and reproduce mate and beautiful people around you are a proof that your tribe is successful at reproduction and you have high quality mates available to you. 

You're much better looking at it from a sociology/anthropology angle than just good looks, it's such a limited view of the world. Go to any popular restaurant in your city and see some beautiful people working for minimum wage, they haven't made it quite to the top of the social hierarchy yet. 

[Ramasta9]

Feeling good = looking good

that's the paradox.

[Joseph Maynor]

Sometimes your strengths become your greatest weaknesses ironically.  

[LastThursday]

In terms of attire there is a large element of tribal belonging. There is always a current fashion, just look at how people presented themselves in the 1970's to now. Even though there is always a wide range of styles, even in the 70's, there is a kind of zeitgeist that people lock in to. Looking good is in large part being part of the in group and conformity. But this also applies to the way you speak and carry yourself.

In terms of genetics then it's parts sexual selection and evolutionary selection. We are unconsciously positively biased towards people who look healthy and strong, and we could breed with successfully or could provide good protection - and status as a side effect. Mostly, indicators of good genetics, that can be passed to offspring.

[Lyubov]

Keep in mind what looks good can change. Men now aspire for a body in the gym that was once not possible. Look at what was considered handsome and fashionable 100 years ago. 

[Xonas Pitfall]

It’s an even more basic reason. Why do you want to be in a room that is cleaner and smells nicer rather than one that doesn’t? Pure sensations that you can tolerate. Why do you keep listening to a song that is more harmonized instead of one that’s a mess, like something a toddler made with spray paint?

If someone is aesthetically pleasing, that’s what it means: it’s easy on the eyes. You want to keep looking at it, being around it, being immersed in it. You allow it to impact you as deeply as possible because it’s so beautiful.

Quote

Imagine two books. One has a beautifully designed cover, a clean layout, and a smooth, engaging writing style. The other has a messy cover, awkward formatting, and clunky sentences. Even if both books contain equally deep ideas, you’re far more likely to keep reading the first one.

Because it feels good and easier to read, you give it more time and attention. You only have so many chances and attention to give. You start noticing its themes, appreciating its details, and thinking the author is more insightful or intelligent. Meanwhile, you might abandon the second book early, never giving its ideas a fair chance.

So the “beauty” of presentation creates a kind of self-reinforcing bias: because something is more pleasant at first, you engage with it more, and that extra attention makes you discover even more value in it.

Something like that . . .

That being said, people definitely find different things and cues more appealing than others, but there are some general qualities that point to survival, comfort, safety, and indicators of health.

For example, we tend to find wider smiles more attractive because they can signal a broader airway and better breathing capacity. Because of that, your speech is naturally clearer, your energy is higher, and you’re seen as more attractive; you become more confident and expressive. That increased confidence makes you even more attractive, which people respond to even more, creating a self-reinforcing loop. If you start off attractive, you’re usually treated better, which boosts your confidence and makes you more magnetic.

Edited 5 hours ago by Xonas Pitfall

[Eskilon]

It's biology all the way down. Lizard brain type shit.

Good looks and physique means better chances of survival, more confort, security, all the things we apes love and want.

Edited 4 hours ago by Eskilon