Khaberni - A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Dayton has revealed an unexpected downside to excessive beauty on social media, particularly in the field of physical fitness.
In the study, researchers presented hundreds of participants with mocking posts from fictitious fitness influencer accounts and asked the participants about the posts and accounts they preferred to follow.
The results showed that highly attractive influencers received fewer likes and followers compared to those with average attractiveness. The experts explained that this may be due to people feeling that these influencers are "less relatable" or too distant from their everyday lives.
Researchers Andrew Edelblum and Abbie Frank clarified: "Our research indicates that excessive attractiveness may backfire in a digital world filled with trusted influencers who have large fan bases."
The researchers named this phenomenon the "Reverse Beauty Effect."
The study also noted that attractive female models and spokeswomen draw attention and increase clicks, but this does not necessarily guarantee an increase in likes or followers.
The results clearly showed that modesty plays an important role in reducing the reverse beauty effect. Influencers who shared their personal experiences, challenges, and fitness levels received more likes, while those who boasted about their talents or exceptional dedication received fewer likes.
The study also pointed out that gender plays a major role, as attractive women in the fitness field face stronger negative reactions than men of the same attractiveness, which may reflect a "broader social tendency to judge women's appearance more harshly."
The researchers hope that the study's findings will open the door to further research on other factors that may affect the reverse beauty effect, including race and disability.
