Do you think that profile pictures are subject to ethnicity, gender and age bias

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   Wasteless Projectposted 12 years ago

   Do you think that profile pictures are subject to ethnicity, gender and age bias?
   
   I for example have my bias towards writers with a profile picture that shows that they are a bit older - I just believe that ultimately lifetime equals experience that can only be beneficial for writing hubs...  I am not suggesting that any form of bias is a good thing and I hope we are moving away from it, but till that point I am sure a profile pictures can greatly influence how you or your expertise are being received. Have you ever noticed a difference in the response to your hubs when your profile picture revealed/did not reaveal you gender, ethnicity or age?

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   Bill Segoposted 12 years ago

   Unfortunately, human beings do it without even thinking about it.  It cannot be helped.  Regardless of how hard we might try to avoid it, people immediately form a type of "bias" based on one's age, ethnicity, and appearance...without even consciously thinking about it.  I think that's why some of us will post a photo of something other than our own.  It can also be argued that they are subconsciously doing the same to avoid such a bias.

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      Wasteless Projectposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree that not using your own profile picture (someone else's or some avatar) might very often be caused by the wish of not being judged - as too old, too young, to pretty, too ugly, too not-white or whatever else... We should remember that!

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   Pamela N Redposted 12 years ago

   Most definitely. People are very prejudice to looks, age and all those other things you mentioned. It isn't fair but it is how things are.
   
   People have a certain expectation from someone based upon appearance just like you mentioned having more respect for the opinions of an older more experienced writer.
   
   Boys and men tend to prefer reading novels by male writers that's why women authors often use initials like J. K. Rowling. Several years ago before she was well known, I read an article in Disney magazine referring to J. K. Rowling as a man. Either the journalist writing the piece was misinformed or he was carrying on the illusion of a masculine author for her readers.
   
   Pretty young women get more attention online by men but most don't really read her work so it isn't very productive. For this reason some older women or those less attractive will use a much younger photo or a fake one.

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      Wasteless Projectposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the elaborate answer! And an interesting point about fe/male authors - have you read Malcom Gladwell's books by any chance? He writes about some interesting incident, too, similar to your described one!

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   JThomp42posted 12 years ago

   I myself prefer profile pictures over the blank ones. This to me automatically tells me they may have something to hide, they are not really serious, or they are just lazy. I think it is better to always have a "current" profile picture available. It just helps you connect with them easier.

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      Wasteless Projectposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree that we feel that we 'know' more about a person whose face we can see... the only question is how accurate or fair this face judgement is...

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   delleaposted 12 years ago

   Definitely, people always have biased views on such things. I decided to change my profile picture to something that represents the cornerstone of my existence... that way people know what I'm all about right up front, because a picture speaks 1000 words. I figure that if people are going to prejudge me, then they might as well prejudge me by something that matters a lot more than personal looks.

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      Wasteless Projectposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well, that is not a bad point. Like this you can use prejudice to keep people out who wouldn't want to connect with you for your believes for example - or with whom you might not wish to connect.

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   Sherry Hewinsposted 12 years ago

   I think many people see age as a negative. Older people are perceived by a lot of people in our society as being not "with it" or technologically challenged. I suppose it depends a lot on what you're writing about. A little gray-haired lady might do fine posting how to knit a sweater, or bake a pie.
   
   My profile photo is a few years old. I did not choose it specifically because of the age, but mainly because photos of myself that I like are few and far between.

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      Wasteless Projectposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Sherry for sharing! I agree, sometimes the prejudices work for you, sometimes they work against you...

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   Shadow Jacksonposted 12 years ago

   Definitely. It's a sad truth, but everyone is biased in one form or another. The key is to define your niche and market to them effectively. Don't worry about what people from other niches are trying to say about you or about those guys' rejection. Just do your best and focus on your target audience.

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