Have you ever wondered why you always seem to prefer the selfies you take of yourself rather than a photo that someone else takes for you? Or perhaps you always like the way you look, staring into the mirror, but then hate every picture that is taken of you that day. It turns out there’s a scientific reason for that, and no, it doesn’t have to do with whether you are better or worse looking in real life versus photos. According to a study conducted by scientists at The University of New South Whales in Australia, how we see ourselves may not be the same as how others see us. In fact, strangers are better at picking which photos actually look like us than we are. This revelation challenges the conventional belief that our own self-perception is a true reflection of our physical appearance.
Research Reveals: The Mystery of Self-Perception
You may have often heard someone say, “I think I’m better looking in person than in photos,” or maybe you’ve even said that yourself. Or perhaps you know someone who loves posting selfies to their social media but hates getting their picture taken. Researchers from Australia have figured out why. (1)
The reason behind this fascinating phenomenon, as explained by the researchers, lies in our reliance on mirrors. How we perceive ourselves is heavily influenced by the fact that we always see our reflection, which presents us with a mirror image of our face. This flipped version of ourselves becomes our subconscious baseline for what we perceive as our true appearance.
As a result, we tend to feel most comfortable with our mirrored selves rather than how we appear in reality. This preference is evident in our inclination towards selfies, which allow us to capture an image that is more aligned with our familiar mirror image. In contrast, pictures taken by others may portray us from an unaccustomed perspective, leading to potential discomfort or feelings of unfamiliarity.
Strangers Are Better At Identifying Photos That Actually Look Like Us Than We Are
The researchers had study participants select and download ten photos of themselves from Facebook and order them from least to most likeness to their actual appearance. The team had strangers also do the same with their photos. Each photo was also compared with facial recognition technology. In the end, the strangers did a better job identifying which photos looked like each person than the person in the photo.
“It seems counter-intuitive that strangers who saw the photo of someone’s face for less than a minute were more reliable at judging likeness,” lead researcher Davie White said in a press release. “However, although we live with our own face day-to-day, it appears that knowledge of one’s own appearance comes at a cost. Existing memory representations interfere with our ability to choose images that are good representations or faithfully depict our current appearance.” (2)
You Look More Like You When You Smile
Previously, White and his team did a similar study on border patrol agents. They tested to see how well they could actually identify people from their passport photos versus undergraduate students. Turns out, one group was no better than the other. (3)
Their research found that strangers were better at identifying people in photos where they were smiling. This is an interesting fact, considering we are not allowed to smile in passport photos or many other photo identification methods, such as a license.
“Given that faces are generally pictured smiling, and these images are rated as being more like familiar faces, it may be beneficial to permit expression in passport photographs,” suggested White.
Voice Recognition is Also Not Great
Let’s not forget the baffling phenomenon regarding the sound of our own voices. You’ve probably heard your recorded voice and thought, “That doesn’t sound like me!” Well, the same underlying principle applies here. The voice we hear when we speak is the result of vibrations and reverberations within our own heads. This internal auditory experience is distinct from the sound that others hear when we speak.
So, what does this research mean for our understanding of self-perception? It doesn’t necessarily imply that we are more or less attractive than we think. Instead, it suggests that the version of ourselves we see in the mirror or hear in our heads is just one aspect of our existence – a subjective experience that is unique to each individual.
Accept Yourself As You Are
It’s worth considering that this newfound knowledge may affect our self-esteem and body image. The study encourages us to embrace the diversity of perspectives regarding our appearance. Perhaps, by acknowledging that our perception of self is subjective, we can foster a greater acceptance of ourselves and others, realizing that different perspectives can coexist harmoniously.
This research provides a valuable opportunity for self-reflection and understanding. By recognizing that our perception of our own appearance is not the only truth, we can approach the topic of self-image with a newfound appreciation for the complexity and diversity of perception.
In conclusion, the research conducted by the scientists at The University of New South Whales sheds light on the intriguing phenomenon of self-perception. Our reliance on mirrors and our internal auditory experiences lead us to perceive ourselves differently from how others see us. This discovery reminds us of the fascinating and multi-dimensional nature of human perception, prompting us to question our own self-perception and fostering a deeper appreciation for the subjective nature of appearance.