Referral Rate and Physical Attractiveness in Third-Grade Children

Rates of referrals for psychological assessment, speech, reading, and learning disability were studied in third-grade children. Over-all, boys were referred more than girls and the children judged as physically attractive by ratings of photographs received significantly more referrals than their less attractive classmates. Differential consequences of appearance on interpersonal responsiveness are discussed with particular emphasis upon access to intervention programs as a function of appearance.