What is the cheerleader effect and how to use it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The cheerleader effect was mentioned in How I Met Your Mother and seemed like an implausible theory. Barney Stinson told about him - a dubious and controversial character. However, the serial fiction has been confirmed by scientists in practice.

What is this effect

The cheerleader effect is a phenomenon described in the seventh episode of the fourth season of How I Met Your Mother. Barney Stinson, a character known for his promiscuous romantic relationships, spoke about him.

Cheerleaders are cheerleaders. They unite in teams, prepare a spectacular performance, consisting of combinations of acrobatic and dance movements, and present it during the breaks of sports games. The goal of cheerleading is to cheer up your sports team and inspire viewers. Cheerleaders perform in uniform, and their main attribute is pom-poms.

The dubious theory was that not very attractive people, united in groups, begin to seem incredibly beautiful to an outsider.

For example, a group of girls in bright costumes and with the same make-up, performing in public, seems very interesting to the viewer. The members of this group look incredibly attractive and almost perfect. But if you look closely at each girl individually, you will notice flaws, imperfections and unusual facial features.

The cheerleader effect doesn't look very believable. We are more accustomed to hearing about the phenomenon of an unsympathetic boyfriend or girlfriend. And, of course, what the cynic with a glass of whiskey in his hand says about this effect from the screen does not add to the seriousness of the situation.

However, there is more reality in serial monologues than we imagine. The cheerleader effect not only exists, but it is also supported by scientific research.

Is there really a cheerleader effect

Drew Walker of the University of California confirmed the existence of the cheerleader effect when he conducted an experiment and proved that people do appear more attractive when they are in groups. Walker believes that the phenomenon arises from the interaction of three cognitive phenomena:

• the visual system automatically combines the faces of the group members into one image;
• individual facial features are erased and adjusted to the general appearance for the "image";
• this general average appearance is recognized by the brain, and he considers her to be beautiful.

Thus, the scientists concluded: an attractive person becomes even more beautiful if surrounded by other people. Bright and prominent facial features are "blurred" against the background of the rest, and the appearance approaches the average value of the beauty standard.

The hypothesis was tested five times. Each experiment has confirmed the existence of the cheerleader effect.

How to use this effect

This cognitive distortion was called the Spice Girls effect in the same show. All jokes, but successful bands are not only good songs, arrangements and shows. They are also properly selected participants. Take a closer look: one vocalist's appearance complements that of another. Can every member of the Backstreet Boys or Roots be considered an ideal and impeccable handsome man? But together they look like gods descended from Olympus.

Use this to your advantage.

If you need to look attractive, ask your friends to join you for a while. Try not to stand out too much against their background: like cheerleaders, you need to have a lot in common in appearance: shades of clothing, accessories, or the same type.

This technique will not drastically change your appearance, but it will help you look a little more attractive. Nice bonus for when every detail counts.