KimberMedia

Research Shows You Can Be More Attractive

Posted by
in Facebook, Social Media
September 13, 2012

You can improve the way people view you on Facebook. University of Missouri researchers found that the profile picture you use can make you more attractive—physically, socially and professionally.

That can mean more money or a better job, since, as the MU press release says, “‘[m]ore and more employers…are using Facebook as a way to examine potential employees before making hires.”

Grad student Seoyeon Hong, along with associate professor Kevin Wise, studied responses from 104 college students to various Facebook profile pictures of the same person. They concluded that photos containing “social cues” have a more favorable impact than static headshots.

“To maximize the effects of positive self-presentation on Facebook, I would recommend using profile pictures with extensive social cues…,” said Seoyeon Hong.

So what’s a social cue?

It’s a positive indicator of who you are and what you do.

This reminds me of the pics in my old high school yearbook of a jock holding a football or the girl in choir strumming a guitar.

Former President Bill Clinton in his high school band uniform
Photo credit: John Shinkle

Regardless of what you think of those context-rich photos, according to the study, they work.

But watch out. Facebook’s never that simple.

The study also concludes that if your friends leave disparaging remarks, or for that matter, any comments that are not consistent with the positive image you are trying to portray, those comments trump your picture and make you less attractive.

“No matter how people package themselves with extravagant self-presentations, it cannot be very successful without validation from others,” says the study.

So if you think prospective employers are peeking at your Facebook page, do yourself a favor and discreetly tend to your friends’ comments.

The author of the study adds that even silly or sarcastic comments can drag you down.

Kevin is a blogger and account manager with KimberMedia. And he’s a no slouch with WordPress. So he’s in on our website maintenance projects, too. Kevin has a long history as a project manager. He schemes, then gets things done. He’s a small business owner, an association executive, a registered lobbyist, a yoga teacher, a biologist and a word nerd. He likes to sing in the choir at church, travel, and laugh a lot. Google