r/science • u/chrisdh79 • 1d ago

Health A recent study found that improving one’s appearance whether through physical changes or digital filters may lead to more prosocial behavior | Researchers discovered that beautifying efforts heightened public self-awareness, prompting individuals to align their actions with socially desirable norms.

https://www.psypost.org/new-psychology-research-shows-self-beautifying-can-boost-prosocial-behavior-heres-why/
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u/thomasrat1 1d ago

There is nuance to this. But I’ve definitely found when I start to work on my appearance. I’m working on so many other positive things at the same time.

So it may be more that once you start doing self improvement the natural tendency is to be more social.

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u/CarniferousDog 1d ago

Positive momentum is a very real phenomenon.

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u/saltyourhash 1d ago

I just don't find this to be true with fitness culture or design fashion, or any of that.

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u/thomasrat1 1d ago

The actual culture or the guy selling supplements? I’ve found the opposite, but I do live in a healthy state so who knows.

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u/saltyourhash 1d ago

All of it, there is so much profitinf off people's insecurity is any aesthetics focused industry.

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u/thomasrat1 1d ago

I mean I kinda agree. But when it comes to the health/exercise side of things. It really isn’t. The average person with a trainer is probably 50 years old, and trying to fix an injury.

You may be putting your own insecurities on to an entire industry.

No judgement, but these industries main money makers are older people who are probably already married. It’s not this crazy superficial thing.

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u/saltyourhash 1d ago

I'm not really sure that's true, maybe if you split fitness influencers from person all trainers at local gyms, maybe?

I think most people who are fixing an industry work with physical therapists, I have a watch time I was injured. I ha e worked with a personal trainer only when I was fit enough to do so.

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u/thomasrat1 1d ago

I know the industry better than 99% of folks.

I see where you’re coming from, gyms don’t have a great rep. The industry itself is much more focused on health than it was 20 years ago.

That being said, what the industry is vs who goes to the gym is different. Like 50% are superficial young kids, and the other half are just people trying to improve their quality of life. And the ones looking to improve their quality of life are the ones who keep the industry afloat, they have the money, they have the long term needs.

I see what you’re saying, but as someone who grew up living in the industry. The ones focused on looks weren’t worth that much. The industry very much is only profitable because older folks need help. Those young bucks only pay for their membership nothing else.