Facebook Inc. (FB) Photos Affect Impressions: Study

Facebook Inc.Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) could probably imagine being a subject or a vehicle for studies about social attitudes in various cultures and around the world because of its vast network of 1 billion users. But believe it or not, there is even a study out that considered Facebook Inc. (FB) profile photos and comments and how those affect impressions of people who haven’t met you but see your photos on the social network site, according to a recent University of Missouri study.

According to the study, when a person has photos hat elicit positive comments or show activities that the person does, then those who see the photos will tend to consider the person in the photos as more attractive in some way. The study, authored by doctoral student Seoyeon Hong and professor Kevin Wise, revealed that comments on Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) about a person from others will make that person look better physcially, professionally or socially.

In the study, Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) photos were shown to about 100 participants who were college students. They generally thought that the people in photos that had positive comments or other information about the person – like the person doing an activity – were more attractive physically and socially. Those people with just simple headshots and little to no supplemental information were considered less attractive.

“If you present yourself one way, that information is useful,” Wise said. “But it’s not as credible as what other parties say about you.” He went on to add that if another person posts something negative, that might be a clue for people who may be looking for your reputation or character. But it seemed by the results of the study that having positive photos on Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) can be good for making positive impressions on others.

Is it time for Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) to have a positive impression on the portfolios of investors – like billionaire fund manager Steven Cohen of Sac Capital Advisors?