Effects of language proficiency and physical attractiveness on person perception

Forty‐eight Chinese subjects were exposed to four Chinese female ‘job applicants’ who were either high or low on English‐language proficiency and on physical attractiveness. Half of the subjects considered the applicants for a secretary's post and the other half considered them for a social worker's post. Results showed that applicants' language proficiency had strong influences on person perception. Those high on language proficiency were rated higher on achievement‐related traits. The effects of physical attractiveness were comparatively weak. The findings establish the robustness of the language proficiency effects on person perception.