Blogg One: Physical Attractiveness - Facebook Ads

Please believe that I am a dedicated student, despite my blog post at 2am on the due day. I can explain.

I’m in college.

But really, I don’t have any excuses. Only distractions. I will admit, indeed, that I spent the entire afternoon putting together baskets for my “grandlittles” in Chi Omega, which turned out to be a much more time consuming task than estimated – what was I thinking?! (If you’re Greeky, you know what I mean. If you aren’t, please, judge me.) Anyway, after the secret drop-off shenanigans tonight, I of course came home and was immediately, without warning or explanation, sucked into the vicious Facebook vortex. Inescapable. But, believe it or not, this ridiculous social network venture revealed a great blog topic for my first post…located in the right side margin of my page, as I stalked through the usual suspects, I kept noticing advertisements with pictures like these:

Accompanying these handsome little devils were titles like “Meet Cute Guys” or “Want an Honest Man?” or my personal favorite, “Christian Singles.” Advertisements aimed at college-aged females like myself (how they know I’m pathetically single still baffles me) pop up right and left, literally, as I go about my procrastinating. And they bother me. It’s uncomfortable, really.

The book tells us that “physical attractiveness may be the single most important factor in determining whom we choose as our friends, dates, lovers, and coworkers.” So what makes these advertising companies think I will find these men so physically attractive that I will click to their site? What is it about the nonverbal messages these guys are sending that makes them think they’re so convincing?

Let’s take the first guy, the one taking the picture of himself for his MySpace account – “Meet Cute Guys” guy. The book reports that women perceive men with facial hair as ‘mature, sophisticated, masculine, and more sexually appealing.’ Is the advertising company aware of this, or is it coincidence that this particular model got the spot on their ad?

Now for the second guy, the one laying down with no shirt on – “Want an Honest Man?” man. The book suggests we make several decisions about another person based on how they look; one of these decisions is ‘moral character.’ The advertising company knows honesty is a highly attractive quality, both in the social and task realm. So what about this man proves honesty? Is it his dark, intent eyes? Are there shady-looking men who also belong to this online dating website? Are congratulations in order for this man for looking especially honest?

Finally, the third guy, the one soaking up the sunshine outside of Draper – “Christian Singles” guy. Again I will reference the book’s suggestion that we make decisions about someone’s moral character, or perhaps in this case religious association, based on how they look. This advertising agency, targeting females on the Baylor network, knows that most of us are probably looking for Christian men. But what is it about this guy’s picture that lets me know he’s a Christian? His nice, gentle smile? At the risk of offending any ‘kampers’ out there, I’d venture to say this guy looks like the ideal Kanakuk counselor. And I find myself wondering, ‘Is that okay to say? What makes me think that?’ I suppose the book is right after all. I just gave this guy a summer job shepherding little kiddos without even talking to him.

As annoying as these ads are, I have a new appreciation for them, thanks to this class. Usually, that appreciation comes in the form of a small chuckle and a shake of the head. Followed by a quick prayer that I never become so desperate.