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Your Facebook Profile Picture Impacts Your Attractiveness

By - Source: UM

You may want to consider an image consultant to improve your Facebook profile.

A study conducted by students at the University of Missouri found that the type of picture posted as your Facebook profile picture directly impacts a person's social and physical attractiveness. According to the results of the research positive comments and social cues are very beneficial to the perception tied to a user's virtual and real-world life.

"People tend to rely more on other-generated information than self-generated information when forming impressions," said Seoyeon Hong, a doctoral student in the University of Missouri School of Journalism. "In other words, opinions of other people matter more than the target person’s own self-presentation. Thus, for social networking users concerned about forming a desired impression, being aware of other-generated information about oneself is paramount in the goal of achieving a positive self-presentation."

There may be those who simply do not care how they are perceived by others, but if we remind ourselves that third parties, including possible employers are using Facebook these days to research job candidates, then it is common sense to make sure that a profile picture makes the best possible impression - as long as that profile is publicly accessible. Hong noted that "cues" that would tie a user to sports or music help to achieve a positive perception.

 

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There are 19 Comments. B
Top Comments
  • 23
    dameon51 , September 14, 2012 9:39 AM
    I thought I was loosing my hair because i was old, but its actually just because yoda is my facebook profile pic? If only I would of known...
  • 12
    MAC_HATER , September 14, 2012 9:56 AM
    My Current Profile Picture is Agent 47 hiding in a Giant Doughnut - how more attractive can you get?
Other Comments
  • 23
    dameon51 , September 14, 2012 9:39 AM
    I thought I was loosing my hair because i was old, but its actually just because yoda is my facebook profile pic? If only I would of known...
  • 8
    Vestin , September 14, 2012 9:52 AM
    Apparently, we're heading towards a world where grandmas will get upset over the way kids look and dress for their Facebook pics, rather than daily lives. One step ahead, two steps behind...
  • 12
    MAC_HATER , September 14, 2012 9:56 AM
    My Current Profile Picture is Agent 47 hiding in a Giant Doughnut - how more attractive can you get?
  • 6
    runswindows95 , September 14, 2012 10:25 AM
    Mine is the Guinness logo. Does that make me dead sexy? Yes it does. Thank you beer goggles!
  • 2
    flamethrower205 , September 14, 2012 10:43 AM
    And mine is a snapshot of the aftereffects of doing the milk gallon challenge. Girls love it.
  • 2
    jupiter optimus maximus , September 14, 2012 11:03 AM
    Mine is a picture of a muscular toga man, well bathed in olive oil, ready to strike lighting. Worshiped by women, for women.
  • 7
    Northwestern , September 14, 2012 11:06 AM
    I've abandoned my account and purged all personal information from it. So this really isn't much of a bother to me.
  • 1
    schnitter , September 14, 2012 12:11 PM
    This study is true. I put a picture of a hand holding a bunch of 100 dollar bills and I cant delete the messages faster than I am getting them. Most are people asking to borrow money, but some are from girls.
  • 9
    mrmez , September 14, 2012 12:28 PM
    Really?
    Wow. Interesting stuff.
    Guess if i take down my profile picture of me picking my nose, I'll get a girl and a job.
    Simply fascinating stuff!
  • 3
    acadia11 , September 14, 2012 12:37 PM
    Why does facebook exist again?
  • 4
    anonymous@guest , September 14, 2012 12:39 PM
    @Northwestern: don't worry, FB still has all the info you ever posted there in their database for selling to 3rd parties, and your pictures to use for anything and everything - you gave up your rights when you approved the Terms of Services when signing up :) 
  • 0
    giovanni86 , September 14, 2012 2:55 PM
    Mmmm well thankfully i already work for my life time employer and i had FB well before that so, i don't see this as a issue. Generally my image on there is me n my AK. 2nd amendment in action, take it away, i will revolt.
  • 7
    aaron88_7 , September 14, 2012 3:30 PM
    Who knew my fat ass couldn't get a date because I've been using the wrong facebook picture?
  • 0
    hate machine , September 14, 2012 8:54 PM
    THIS JUST IN!!!! The way you look and hold yourself determines your attractiveness and gives hint to your social stature. Also people look at your pictures to determine said things! SHOCKING DEVELOPMENT!
  • 0
    freggo , September 14, 2012 10:32 PM
    At some point I had a Mitsubishi Jeep and a 500SL convertible; both new.
    Guess what, I NEVER got hit on in the Jeep but women would give me their biz cards or phone numbers in the convertible; even with my GF in it (which did not go over too well with her of course).

    I guess this was because of the tinted windows in the Jeep when women could not see how 'attractive' I was.

    Bottom line, where you live, what you wear and what you drive sends a strong message and effects how you are treated in personal and business relationships. You can be ugly if you have money or fame.
    Good looking and broke works only for women, as a guy.... sorry, no date for you (except a lonely cougar maybe) :-)
  • 0
    A Bad Day , September 15, 2012 4:22 AM
    I don't have a picture for my account...
  • 0
    jisamaniac , September 15, 2012 4:37 AM
    Good thing my profile pic is of my WoW Character
  • 1
    snowzsan , September 16, 2012 6:52 AM
    Mine is a screenshot from Braveheart which is quoted "They can touch our balls at the airport, but they will never take our Internet!"

    Says enough!
  • 0
    isabelle huddleston , September 18, 2012 5:47 PM
    long as that profile is publicly accessible. Hong noted that "cues" that would tie a user to sports or music help to achieve a positive perception.

    http://www.geloman.de