Everything is sex: theoretical extensions and empirical tests of the Maestripieri hypothesis for the beauty premium*

Abstract

Purpose I test three different theories of the “beauty premium,” why more physically attractive workers earned more than less physically attractive workers. Design/methodology/approach I analyze two prospectively longitudinal datasets with nationally representative samples: National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health in the US (Study 1) and National Child Development Study in the UK (Study 2). Findings Analyses support the evolutionary psychological hypothesis that the beauty premium stems from individuals’ desire for sexual contact. Originality/value This is the first attempt to put three different hypotheses for the beauty premium with prospectively longitudinal data with large, nationally representative samples.