I appreciate what you're saying about the study revealing pervasive general attitudes... or at least reinforcing the study-er's preconceived notions.
But this is big picture stuff, and there are always exceptions to any big picture.
Be the exception, buck the trend, if you are likable you may have a chance. If you are smart, but unlikeable, or even just dull, it won't likely happen. If you look at that study and say I'm screwed so why bother, it definitely won't happen. General attitudes get changed one exception at a time.