Horn Effect Meaning

The horn effect is a cognitive process in which negative traits are ascribed to an individual based on appearance or other factors. For example, if someone speaks with a stutter, an employer might immediately think that this person is less intelligent than someone without a stutter.

A study published by Frontiers in Psychology revealed that individuals tend to trust people they perceive as conventionally attractive, while those deemed more “ugly” are trusted less. Additional research indicates that defendants considered unattractive receive longer and harsher sentences compared to those who are seen as conventionally better-looking.

This harmful judgment comes from societal factors and stereotypes that surround non-dominant groups. In other words, the horn effect is a cognitive process that occurs when we attribute negative traits to someone due to our internalized biases.