Member-only story
Have you ever noticed how some people look more attractive when they are in a group? This phenomenon is called the cheering effect, and it has a scientific explanation.
The cheering effect is the idea that a person’s attractiveness increases when they are surrounded by other attractive people. The name comes from the popular TV show “How I Met Your Mother”, where one of the characters explains this concept using cheerleaders as an example.
But this is not just a fictional idea. In 2013, a study was conducted to test the validity of the cheering effect. The researchers took pictures of individuals and groups of people, and asked participants to rate their attractiveness. They found that people were rated higher when they were in a group than when they were alone.
Why does this happen? One possible reason is that our brains tend to average out the features of a group, creating a composite image that is more attractive than the individual parts. Another reason is that being in a group boosts one’s confidence and happiness, which are also attractive qualities.
So, what can we learn from this effect? Well, if you want to look more attractive, you might want to hang out with your good-looking friends more often. Or, you could join a cheerleading squad, if that’s your thing. Just remember that beauty is not everything, and that your personality and character matter more in the long run.
