Lookism

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Lookism is discrimination against or prejudice towards others based on their appearance. The term is not yet in widespread use, though it appears in major English-language dictionaries <ref>Bartleby.com — "Lookism". The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.</ref>.

Lookism has received scholarly attention both from a cultural studies and an economics perspective <ref>Louis Tietje and Steven Cresap. (2005). "Is Lookism Unjust?: The Ethics of Aesthetics and Public Policy Implications". Journal of Libertarian Studies 19 (2): 31-50.</ref>. In the former context, lookism relates to preconceived notions of beauty and cultural stereotyping based on appearance as well as gender roles and expectations. Important economic considerations include the question of income gaps based on looks, as well increased or decreased productivity from workers considered beautiful or ugly by their co-workers.

"Lookism" probably plays a role in genetic selection (and more specifically sexual selection); many researchers believe that features of beauty and physical normalcy are indicators of genetic and physical health.^{[citation needed]}