Pretty biased? : how physical appearance shapes patterns of ethno-religious discrimination

Hellyer, Joshua

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URN:	urn:nbn:de:bsz:180-madoc-703203
Document Type:	Doctoral dissertation
Year of publication:	2025
Place of publication:	Mannheim
University:	University of Mannheim
Evaluator:	Helbling, Marc
Date of oral examination:	2025
Publication language:	English
Institution:	School of Social Sciences > Soziologie mit Schwerpunkt Migration u. Integration (Helbling 2020-)
License:	Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Subject:	300 Social sciences, sociology, anthropology
Keywords (English):	ethnic discrimination , physical attractiveness , physical appearance , religious discrimination , religious badges , labor market discrimination
Abstract:	Humans make lasting impressions of others based on physical appearance. While this is often benign, appearance can also signal membership in various social groups. Each of these groups may be associated with stereotypes, which can lead people to act in discriminatory ways. In this dissertation, I explore the intersection of physical attractiveness and cues of ethno-religious identity related to three primary outcomes: wage setting, hiring, and trustworthiness perceptions. By studying the effects of appearance at the level of interpersonal beliefs, perceptions, and expectations, this dissertation aims to identify possible mechanisms that drive group-level inequalities.