Effects of photographer physical attractiveness on photograph aesthetic value assessment. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Cui; Liu, Zan; Pei, Meng; Su, Yanjie
• Is Part Of: Perception. Volume 51:Number 7(2022)
• Page Start: 505
• Page End: 513
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: physical attractiveness -- aesthetic value assessment -- photography -- cognitive reflection -- empathy; Perception -- Periodicals; Perception -- Periodicals; Perception; Periodicals; 153.705
• DOI: 10.1177/03010066221098158
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-0066

Abstract

Existent studies have demonstrated that being physically attractive leads to preferences and rewards in various scenarios involving performance evaluation. In this study, we explored whether a photographer's physical attractiveness could affect others' assessment of a photograph's aesthetic value. Participants (N = 54 ) accomplished an online task to pair portraits and non-portrait photographs, followed by completing two questionnaires on cognitive reflection and empathy. Analytical results revealed that an attractive photographer was more likely to be associated with a highly aesthetic photograph, and this bias was moderated by the participant's level of cognitive reflection and empathy. Meanwhile, it could be reduced by the participant's professional experience.