PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS AS AN INDICATOR OF SOCIOMETRIC STATUS: THE MODERATING EFFECT OF SELF-ESTEEM AND SOCIAL ANXIETY

This investigation, which included 325 participants from several Zagreb high schools, studied the relationship between physical attractiveness and sociometric status, with special emphasis on whether self-respect and social anxiety are characteristics which influence the connection between physical attractiveness and sociometric status. The results revealed a significant connection between physical attractiveness and sociometric status. Persons judged to be more physically attractive enjoy a better social standing among their peers. Apart from physical attractiveness. self-esteem is important to the sociometric status of women while the men also value the absence of social anxiety. An important finding of this study indicates a significant moderatory influence of self-esteem on the connection of physical attractiveness and sociometric status - this connection is weaker among participants with high self-respect than is the case among those with lower self-esteem, who consider physical attractiveness to be more important in the attainment of higher social status in a group of peers.