# Intelligence and Self-Perceived Attractiveness Link

> Scientists find intelligence lowers self-rated attractiveness scores by 1%.
- Title: Intelligence and Self-Perceived Attractiveness Link · VICE
- Summary: Scientists find intelligence lowers self-rated attractiveness scores by 1%. Intelligence slightly reduces how people rate their own attractiveness.
- Keywords: intelligence, self-perceived-attractiveness, psychology, cognitive-ability-test, attractiveness-rating, news, culture, Self-Perceived, Attractiveness, Link, VICE
- Source: VICE — https://vice.com/en/article/scientists-found-a-surprising-link-between-intelligence-and-how-attractive-you-think-you-are
- Author: Ashley Fike
- Published: 2026-10-22T13:38:09+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: intelligence, self-perceived-attractiveness, psychology, cognitive-ability-test, attractiveness-rating, news, culture
## Self-Rating Scale
Most people rate their looks between 6 and 7 on a 1 to 10 scale.
## Intelligence Study
Psychologist Adrian Furnham and researcher David Semmelink tested 292 adults on attractiveness and cognitive ability.
## Intelligence Effect
Higher cognitive scores led to slightly lower self-rated attractiveness by about 1%.
## Gender and Nationality Differences
Men rated themselves 3 to 4 points higher than women, and British participants scored lower than others.
## Key takeaway

Intelligence slightly reduces how people rate their own attractiveness.