This article was inspired by watching How I Met Your Mother today.

In this episode, Barney points out a group of girls in a bar who collectively appear attractive, but on closer inspection shows individual flaws.

It's called "the cheerleader effect / group attractiveness effect".

Cheerleader Effect?

When people are in a group they look more attractive than if the same people were to be perceived individually.

Scientists believe this happens because our brains tend to not process individual details when viewing something in the context of an environment. Instead of devoting significant attention to all individual characteristics, our brain quickly 'summarizes' the information as a group, thus making each members' face look more than average.

Usage in the wild!

Designers, marketers have been using Cheerleader Effect for years, it does work with products as well. Showing a group of items makes them look more appealing.

IKEA has elaborate home displays where they have made a whole-house layout with their products neatly placed. Collectively they all look perfect for the setting, but take a single product out you would think again.

Fashion Industry uses the cheerleader effect when promoting their products online with matching accessories and the whole mood of the scene. Collectively the whole look, clothes, accessories look great when combined together.

This principle works well for physical items especially when they are small in size.

#Tip

Want to look more attractive online?

Change your profile photo to a group photo with a few friends 🤟🏾

Let me know what you think.

P.S Episode: Not a Father's Day (How I Met Your Mother)