How much can someone's physical appearance change your initial perception?

a reply to: CriticalStinker

Yeah he's a very polarized figure, and being as such, he's an easy target for this group and was a surefire bet to elicit a response.

My point is you could have dug deep and really got into this, instead you went for the low hanging fruit.

All this thread does is illuminate how shallow everyone is...

"OH GOSH HE HAS DIFFERENT HAIR!!!?!?!? I SUDDENLY DON'T MIND HIM SO MUCH!!!"

Reminds me of an old ATS thread,
it was about the length of someones forehead, that gives out a gay visual perception.

a reply to: MarkOfTheV

It was a neutral OP, and for the most part, people kept bias out of their response.

We're adults, it shouldn't be hard to separate emotion in a discussion if asked.

Clearly I stand corrected on my above assumption.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

Odd how you didn’t want this to be about Trump yet post a pic of him as an example, I’m not surprised by the responses at all. ATS seems obsessed with the guy anyway.

Back on topic, I remember a good example of how a guy dressed in a tracksuit looking a bit disheveled collapsed in a busy street and everyone just ignored him. When the same guy dressed in a suit did the same thing a bunch of people checked up on him to make sure he was ok.

In summary appearances are everything.

a reply to: surfer_soul

I recall a similar study being done with how men were dressed on bicycles going to work and courtesy from car drivers...moreso with a man wearing a suit on a bicycle.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

If Trump sees this he's liable to go home and shave his head tonight!

I'm curious as to how you got such a quality pic of him bald with a beard and mustache?

a reply to: surfer_soul

Odd how you didn’t want this to be about Trump yet post a pic of him as an example, I’m not surprised by the responses at all. ATS seems obsessed with the guy anyway.

I used him as a case study, again, he is obviously polarizing. I just didn't want this to become the mudpit and argue about politics or his policy.

It's no secret people have strong opinions of him, hence why I think he'd be a good example.

It's gotten some pretty interesting responses as well.

Back on topic, I remember a good example of how a guy dressed in a tracksuit looking a bit disheveled collapsed in a busy street and everyone just ignored him. When the same guy dressed in a suit did the same thing a bunch of people checked up on him to make sure he was ok.

In summary appearances are everything.

Indeed.

Do you think he would be viewed differently if he had a different physical appearance? I'm not trying to tie negative attitude to his current one, just wondering if it was different if he'd be viewed different. Could people associate his appearance with his previous life which was that of a celebrity personality?

a reply to: CriticalStinker

Fair enough it’s just everywhere I turn it’s Trump this Trump that it’s driving me nuts!

I am sure he would be viewed differently with a different physical appearance. It’s the first thing people judge others on, that said people will view someone they don’t even know based on others perceptions of them, it could be gossip, hear say or total lies. Or even true. Nonetheless they will alter their opinions even if it’s a subconscious process. People are far more easily manipulated than they realise.

How much can someone's physical appearance change your initial perception?

< 1%

a reply to: CriticalStinker

With no hair Donald Trump looks like my biker pal Dave. haha right on.

originally posted by: SleepyDude
a reply to: CriticalStinker

With no hair Donald Trump looks like my biker pal Dave. haha right on.

Haha, my favorite response so far.

originally posted by: Gothmog

How much can someone's physical appearance change your initial perception?

< 1%

You sure about that? I'm pretty sure every guy has met at least one woman whom your initial perception was that of an angel and they turned out to be Satan.

originally posted by: underpass61

originally posted by: Gothmog

How much can someone's physical appearance change your initial perception?

< 1%

You sure about that? I'm pretty sure every guy has met at least one woman whom your initial perception was that of an angel and they turned out to be Satan.

Yes , my wife.
40 years ago , soon
Yet , that was not for business , political , etc.

The dude on the left does'nt look remotely like someone I could knock around with, but I could share a pint and a chat with the dude on the right, though, and it's not that I'd necessarily agree with him on every topic, or even like the guy, he just looks more like my kind of dude.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

Even though Trump is 70 years old, his current hairstyle appearance gives off an immature, inept and wild perception. The 2nd image actually does seem to give him a more decisive, intelligent and authoritative perception.

I am biased. Over year ago, I talked my husband into growing a well trimmed goatee and mustache to elongate is boyish and roundish face. He had spent nearly 30 years at a company and really looked the same as day one. Amazingly, not only have others perception changed greatly, but his own personal perception of himself transformed. He is more of a leader now and not a follower.

So, I do believe that biased appearance perceptions actually can when understood,be applied positively, to create a more positive enviroment for individuals and others. I know personally that my attitude and personality slightly changes based on certain hairstyles or clothing worn.

Edit add: it may seem shallow, but in reality, it is natural. Many creatures on earth even use perception biases of others to deceive. Not necessarily, simply predator vs victim, poisonous vs non-poisonous, but even during mating courtships or attracting friends. In nature, perception bias is used effectively. It is natural.

a reply to: CynConcepts

Thanks for your in-depth response, and for adding examples.

This is exactly the type of answer I was after, and many others have provided similar.

I've always known that it can change our perception of strangers, but my question for everyone was can it make a change for a very polarizing individual we all know, which is hard to find.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

I had seen some pics of my husband when earlier in life he grew a beard! He just left it wild and all over thick. He looked like a big wild lumber jack man!

Another time in early 80s, he grew a mustache only...haha...that one always makes me laugh because he instantly turned into some greasy looking pornstar!

From the stories I have heard from him and his longtime friends...his personality did seem to take on some of those themed qualities. Now, I am guessing we all have small percentages of these individual qualities innate within. When we outwardly change our appearance others see those different qualities and thus, we focus on them more too.

Edit add: it may seem like my hubby is just unique, but I can admit that having learned dressing slutty in the past vs more classy, I acted and attracted men who would perceive me differently. Having raised 3 gorgeous daughters, It was all too common that I would critique their appearance knowing that too.

As I am sure most parents will admit they do the same based on biased experience. Even simply changing a hat can change a lot! Ski mask, baseball cap, cowboy hat, beret, fisherman hat, gardening hat, etc...etc...they all instantly change perceptions.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

I have always noticed when I cut my hair to switch styles from medium to short, the sudden dramatic change in my appearances causes me to feel like a different person, and people treat me differently, even my own family members.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

Initial impression on seeing both pics

Ice cream seller / Steve Austin type

originally posted by: MarkOfTheV
a reply to: CriticalStinker

Yeah he's a very polarized figure, and being as such, he's an easy target for this group and was a surefire bet to elicit a response.

My point is you could have dug deep and really got into this, instead you went for the low hanging fruit.

All this thread does is illuminate how shallow everyone is...

"OH GOSH HE HAS DIFFERENT HAIR!!!?!?!? I SUDDENLY DON'T MIND HIM SO MUCH!!!"

It's a truth of human psychology that should be discussed.

EDIT- Just because it's sad that we are all shallow to some extent, doesnt mean its somehow better to ignore and not discuss it...just because it upsets you to face that fact. 🤷‍♂️