The scientific way to choose the best profile photo
The scientific way to choose the best profile photo
Anonim

Do you think you know which photo to put on an avatar on a social network or attach to a resume? Scientists believe exactly the opposite.

The scientific way to choose the best profile photo
The scientific way to choose the best profile photo

Australian researchers have found that we are unable to choose the best photo for our own userpic on social media, dating apps or work-related sites. Others do it much better for us.

For your research. the scientists gathered a group of 102 students and asked each to provide 12 photographs, which clearly show the face. They then asked subjects to choose two pictures (best and worst) that they could post on their Facebook avatar, professional site (LinkedIn), and dating site (Match.com). Next, the same task for each was completed by another participant in the study.

After that, a new group of people appreciated the independent choice of the participants and the choice that others made for them. It took into account not only the attractiveness of the person in the photograph, but also the relevance of the photograph to a particular network context.

In all cases, choosing others was more successful.

Here are some examples from the study. The first row shows the worst and best images chosen by students themselves, in the second row - others selected for them.

photo on avatar
photo on avatar

The authors of the study point out that other people better understand how strangers will react to one or another of our photos. So, for a dating site, they chose pictures in which a person looked more attractive, and for professional sites - more competent.

The same study notes that the choice of a profile photo is now critically important. The first impression that other users make about us and their further actions depends on it.

So ask your friends for advice before changing your profile picture. Perhaps they will start responding to messages more often, and asking for dates, and maybe they will offer new class work.

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