The Power and Paradox of Physical Attractiveness

Abstract

The Power and Paradox of Physical Attractiveness is a scholarly look into physical attractiveness. It articulates the great importance placed on this dimension of a person’s appearance. Analysis of the dynamics and consequences reveals a powerful, pervasive, and frequently unrecognized or denied physical attractiveness phenomenon. This phenomenon transcends time, geography, and culture, regardless of demographics and socioeconomics of individuals and populations.

With penetrating vision, Dr. Patzer provides evidence that despite professed ideals, people do judge others by their looks. Physical attractiveness is a more powerful determinant of a person’s fortune and misfortune in life than people admit. No matter the words, thoughts, and ideals proclaimed by people, these same people judge, assume, infer, believe, act, treat, decide, accept, reject, and behave toward or against individuals, in patterns consistent with their own physical attractiveness and that of others. While many dimensions define appearance, physical attractiveness predominates.

The physical attractiveness of a person impacts every individual throughout every community, across the United States and around the world. All people inherit and alter their physical attractiveness, which is determined by complex, interdependent, physical and non-physical factors. Hidden and not-hidden values drive thoughts and actions with significant effects and realities whereby higher physical attractiveness is beneficial, lower physical attractiveness is detrimental, and associated pursuits are relentless.

Physical attractiveness may look skin-deep as a surface aspect of appearance, but looks can be deceiving. Researchers throughout the world collect empirical data complemented with anecdotal data to probe beyond the surfaces. Through investigations that meet meticulous scientific methodological procedures, acute observations reveal previously undetected dimensions that advance understanding about physical attractiveness. The Power and Paradox of Physical Attractiveness explores, discovers, and documents the theories, evidence, and circumstances in which physical attractiveness is a remarkable veneer with influences that extend considerably beyond what we call skin-deep.

The author, Dr. Patzer, formally cites more than 750 references as he identifies a complex phenomenon in which physical attractiveness serves as an informational cue that propels a multiple-stage process. Through this process, people knowingly and unknowingly infer extensive information based on this cue, which in-turn triggers assumptions, expectations, attitudes, and behaviors. It ultimately leads to powerful consequences with significant benefits and detriments for every person, accompanied by continuous pursuits toward these benefits and away from these detriments, caused by his or her level of physical attractiveness.

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What the Experts are Saying

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"Gordon Patzer makes me think. This is a high compliment in a world of vapid sound bytes and meaningless clichés. Having written a cover story on the subject of beauty for Psychology Today, I feel qualified to say that Patzer’s work is interesting, fearless and even inspired. If a profound writer’s job is to comfort the afflicted while afflicting the comfortable, Patzer continues to pass this test."

Michael Levine
Best selling author of 16 books and public relations consultant for some of Hollywood's biggest names. Clients represented by his public relations campaigns include the most well known persons and companies accompanied by endorsements listed on his firm’s website that range from the highest positions in government that include a recent USA president, current and recent USA senators, New York and Los Angeles mayors, to corporate CEOs, to authors and professional speakers, to super stars in television, movies and music, to humanitarians of the greatest reputations.

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"Gordon Patzer has been the 'bottom-line' expert on the subject of physical attractiveness for decades. His pioneering research in the field has been well tested and respected in the world of academia, and now, through The Power and Paradox of Physical Attractiveness, his knowledge and expertise are revealed to the much larger world. Despite ignorant platitudes regularly offered up by the politically correct brigade, our society continues to be captivated by supermodels, complete makeovers, and beautiful celebrities. Dr. Patzer explains exactly how and why we all react in a predictable way to certain quantifiable visual criteria. As someone who has lived on both sides of the equation, I have personally experienced the very power and paradox of which he writes. This book is essential reading for everyone who wishes to gain a truer and more comprehensive understanding of human nature and the world in which we live."

Cindy Jackson
Author of Cosmetic Surgery Secrets and her autobiography Living Doll, founder of the Cosmetic Surgery Network, and frequently sought for her related experiences and expertise. Born in the United States, long-time London resident, and known worldwide for her many cosmetic surgeries to look more like the feminine ideal represented by the celebrated Barbie doll.

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"Gordon Patzer is the right person at the right time to author the right book. I have a library on books concerning physical appearance but none has captured the magnitude and importance of this subject as author Patzer has in this monumental contribution to the literature. He has dissected the subject as no one before him, which makes this new work all the more valuable to academicians, the media, and the general public. Coming from an academic background, Patzer addresses the subject in a logical, but informative, and highly interesting manner. Gordon Patzer draws from his previous and most informative work and includes virtually all the vast research that has been done over the past several decades. Author, lecturer, dean, television personality, world-traveller and expert on the appearance phenomenon, Gordon Patzer has lived it all and has become one of the world’s leading experts on physical appearance. If you are as fascinated as I am on the subject of self-esteem, beauty, and physical appearance, The Power and Paradox of Physical Attractiveness has to be on the top of your list to purchase, read, and reference."

Ronald E. Goldstein, D.D.S.
Dentist practitioner world renown for his esthetic dentistry and author of Change Your Smile that has been translated into six languages and read by more than one million people.

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In The Power and Paradox of Physical Attractiveness, Dr. Gordon Patzer reveals why beauty is more than skin deep. A leading expert and pioneer researcher on the physical appearance phenomenon, Dr. Patzer employs empirical data and powerful anecdotes to provide a fascinating reading experience. If you have any questions about physical attractiveness, self-esteem or beauty, you must read this first-rate book.

Rosalene Glickman, Ph.D.
Best-selling author of Optimal Thinking: How to Be Your Best Self, serves as president of The World Academy of Personal Development Inc. in Beverly Hills, and endorsements of her latest book include Stephan Covey (The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People) and Tom Peters (In Search of Excellence).

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"Professor Patzer has raised to a new level our understanding of the importance that our culture places on physical appearance. The Power and Paradox of Physical Attractiveness is by far the most comprehensive and rigorously researched work on this subject I have found. There will be many opportunities for both the professional and the layman to apply its insights."

Anna Soo Wildermuth, AICI, CIM
Certified Image Master and past president of the Association of Image Consultants, International, Ms. Wildermuth is CEO of Personal Images, Inc: Image and Communication Skills for Individuals and Corporations, past president of the Association of Image Consultants, International, and co-author of Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Women in Business.

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"I am pleased to see the research in which the author of this groundbreaking book, Dr. Patzer, delved into the motivations for the medical industry to be influenced by the Physical Attractiveness Phenomenon. This is good material."

Allen Steadham
Director of the International Size Acceptance Association (ISAA), with branches across the United States, in Canada, Brazil, United Kingdom, France, Australia and the Arab Nations. ISAA’s formal mission is to promote size acceptance and to fight size discrimination throughout the world by means of advocacy and visible, lawful actions.

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"Whenever Dr. Patzer speaks, whether it be in a book, an article, a letter or TV appearance, it never fails to impact me in a way that I find somewhat of an 'Aha!' experience, a kind of 'That's sooooo true!' feeling that gets deep to the core of human behavior. Often times, I read his findings with a deep disappointment of the human race. How superficial people are, how empty and misguided their views are! And, while I sit and digest what Dr. Patzer is so boldly stating, I feel uneasy because I realize that as a marketer and a mother, I am oftentimes guilty of these stereotypes and perceptions. Dr. Patzer has a way of breaking through the clutter of physical and non-physical perceptions and behaviors, leaving you with a clear understanding of the psychological and social implications of this truly fascinating phenomenon. In many ways, Dr. Patzer provides us with the world's ultimate mirror to human behavior. Dare to look, you will sure to be shocked and inspired."

Julie Kaneshiro-Sweeney
Former Director of Brand Marketing for GUESS?, Inc., Walt Disney Studios consumer products division, Universal Studios home video, and Nissin Foods USA, as well as former positions with Hakuhodo Advertising and Chiat/Day Advertising. Ms. Sweeney earned an MBA early in her career from The University of Chicago, and lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two young children.

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"As a physician with a medical specialty focused toward appearance, I experience daily the role and impact physical attractiveness has in the lives of men as well as women. Many factors influence or determine the physical attractiveness of a person, and both separately and collectively they cause significant psychological and sociological consequences. The thoroughness and precision with which Dr. Patzer has researched, analyzed, and articulated these matters make his scholarly book, The Power and Paradox of Physical Attractiveness, a "must read" for every person."

Craig L. Ziering, DO, FAOCD
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Fellow of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, and a qualified medical doctor board certified by the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery and the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology. Dr. Ziering is regularly featured on the ABC Television Network program, Extreme Makeover.

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"In his continuing effort to research and explain the phenomenon of physical attractiveness, Gordon Patzer now offers The Power and Paradox of Physical Attractiveness, a profound work that takes great pains to explain how the world looks at this issue. Having followed his work for 15 years, I can say that he has been influential in the dental profession at helping it understand the value of its part in enhancing physical attractiveness. Every medical/dental professional needs to understand the implications that Dr. Patzer relates in this book to better support their patients concerns, needs, and wants related to physical attractiveness."

Joseph Whitehouse, MS, DDS
Dentist practitioner in the San Francisco Bay area, President, World Congress of Minimally Invasive Dentistry, and Founding member, World Congress of Micro Dentistry.

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"I have been involved in related study since 1983 and I applaud Dr. Patzer as the globally recognized authority on physical attractiveness. He has accumulated vast experience and esteem as an analyst, expert, and proponent about this most specialized science and its pervasive presence. His accomplishments include formulating the systems for this potent psychological and sociological phenomenon. His latest scholarly summation communicated in The Power and Paradox of Physical Attractiveness is destined to become another cornerstone of knowledge and understanding."

Robert "Bobby" Ramirez
Author, Independent Scientific Researcher concerning Phenology, Alpha-Numerical Phenometrics, and the Primordial Defensive System

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"The only broad-based multi-disciplinary summary of research on the meaning, measurement and impact of beauty in contemporary society. Covering psychological, sociological, political, medical and economic research, this volume [The Power and Paradox of Physical Attractiveness] is must-reading for anyone interested on how our looks affect our lives."

Daniel S. Hamermesh, Ph.D.
Edward Everett Hale Centennial (Distinguished) Professor of Economics at the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Hamermesh holds his Ph.D. from Yale University, has published more than 80 refereed articles in scholarly journals, and lectured at universities in 43 states and 23 foreign countries.

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"A person’s physical attractiveness is an extremely important aspect in our society, often with unexpected, as well as expected, consequences. Within the pages of The Power and Paradox of Physical Attractiveness, Gordon Patzer reveals great insight into these consequences, their power, and their complicated dimensions. He also reveals that physical beauty is much more than the surface looks of a person. This book is truly a page-turner for everyone, ranging from academics to professionals to parents to people throughout the general public."

James and Judy Clingman
Directors of The Pageant Agency focused on state-level Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Pageants, which are part of the Miss Universe Pageant that is an NBC-TV and Donald J. Trump partnership. Under the Clingmans’ directorship of Iowa USA Pageants and Wisconsin USA Pageants, their representatives have included one national winner and numerous Top 10 national finalists. James and Judy have five children including 10-year-old triplets.

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About the Author

Gordon L. Patzer, Ph.D., is respected and recognized internationally for his expertise concerning physical attractiveness phenomenon. Hundreds of researchers and scholars have cited formally his published analyses and perspectives, while scores of reporters for popular mass media have published interview quotes. His commitment to scientifically understand the psychology and sociology of physical attractiveness at levels far more than meets the eye and far beyond skin deep is a long-term quest. The national American primetime television news program Dateline NBC, while featuring his expert analyses on-camera for an investigative segment broadcast in 2004, reported that, “Dr. Patzer has spent more than 30 years studying physical attractiveness.” He formally conducted his first related experiment in 1973 and published his first related book in 1985 (The Physical Attractiveness Phenomenon, Plenum Press, NY).

Interviews with Dr. Patzer discussing physical attractiveness phenomenon have been reported by the Associated Press, published by newspapers from west coast USA (Los Angeles Times) to east coast USA (Boston Sunday Herald) to England (Sunday Correspondent, London), magazines (Harper's Bazaar, ELLE, Working Woman, Self Magazine, and Los Angeles Times Magazine), on radio in large and small American markets, and on the Internet (WebMD, MSNBC, CNN.com, online magazines internationally, and blog discussions originating in many countries). The Today Show on NBC, a national morning talk-and-news television program, featured him on-camera for a research news segment broadcast in 2005 about employment and pay differences caused by physical attractiveness. Recent endorsement review comments from professionals, available on request, further emphasize his respected and recognized expertise.

Dr. Patzer has succeeded in executive positions in and out of academia. These include more than ten years as a university dean, ten years as a university department chair, and progress up professorial ranks to tenured professor, as well as earning a Ph.D., MBA, MS, and BA. Business employments have focused on organizational strategy for consumer / audience behavior in primetime programming at CBS Television Network and in the movie industry at Saatchi & Saatchi. Earlier, as an entrepreneur, he started two small businesses: a talent booking agency and an employment agency. International travels have spanned Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Czechoslovakia, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Macau, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Poland, Russia, San Salvador, Switzerland, and Thailand. Prior to accepting a dean’s position at Roosevelt University in Chicago, California State University honored his service while a dean with their lifetime title of Professor Emeritus.