Study author Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. of Monmouth University in West Long Branch, N.J., said the converse is also true -- those who exhibit negative traits such as unfairness and rudeness appear to be less physically attractive to observers.

Lewandowski had participants view photographs of individuals of the opposite-sex and rate them for attractiveness before and after being provided with information on personality traits.

The findings, published in the December issue of Personal Relationships, found the information on personality was found to alter perceived desirability significantly -- showing that cognitive processes and expectations modify judgments of attractiveness.

"Perceiving a person as having a desirable personality makes the person more suitable in general as a close relationship partner of any kind," Lewandowski said in a statement. "This research provides a more positive alternative by reminding people that personality goes a long way toward determining your attractiveness; it can even change people's impressions of how good looking you are."