Cal Gaunt
According to a scientific study, people don’t actually know what they look like.
Have you ever taken a selfie and felt like the person in the picture didn’t quite match the one you see in the mirror?
Well, it turns out that your self-image might be a bit skewed, and not in the way you think.
Recent scientific research suggests that our perception of ourselves might not be as accurate as we believe, and our self-assessment of our looks could be a tad overinflated.
The phenomenon stems from the fact that we are most accustomed to seeing ourselves in mirrors, where our features are horizontally flipped.
Consequently, our mental self-image is crafted based on this mirrored version, leading to a skewed perception of our own appearance.
But that’s not the only twist in the tale – according to Professor Nicholas Epley, the mental image we hold of ourselves in terms of attractiveness might not align with reality either.
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Professor Epley’s insights come from a study he co-authored that delved into how people perceive their own looks.
The study involved presenting participants with altered images of their own faces, varying the level of attractiveness by increments of 10 per cent.
When asked to identify the image that represented their true face, participants, on average, pointed to an image that was 20 per cent more attractive than their actual appearance.
In a conversation with The Atlantic, Professor Epley explained: “The interesting thing is that people don’t really know what they look like.
“The image you have of yourself in your mind is not quite the same as what actually exists.”
The study unveiled a bias referred to as the ‘enhancement bias’. This bias caused participants to more readily recognise and choose a more attractive version of their own face from a lineup.
Interestingly, this bias was observed not only with one’s own face but also when looking at a friend’s face.
Strangers, however, appeared to be more accurately perceived.
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Professor Epley clarified that people aren’t drastically deluded about their appearance, but even though we wear our faces every day, it doesn’t make us experts at recognising it.
Our understanding of our looks is heavily reliant on mirrors, which can create visual distortions due to the way light is reflected.
As ActionLabShorts’ video explains, mirrors reflect light, and the reflected image has already been flipped, leading to a different angle of your face that you’re not accustomed to seeing.
So, there you have it – the mental image you hold of yourself might be more flattering than the reality.
While this could be a boost to your self-esteem, it’s important to remember that beauty is subjective and multifaceted.
The science might suggest that you’re around 20 per cent more attractive in your mind’s eye but don’t forget that true beauty comes from confidence, kindness, and a whole lot of individuality.
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