1. The faces are covered with a black box.
2. Standardized clothing.
3. The photos are straight shots (and for one dataset, side shots) taken in a blank room.
Dating profile pictures generally:
1. Prominently display your face.
2. Involve you wearing clothing indicative of how you present yourself.
3. Involve you in situations that are indicative of how you present yourself.
This study - as unlike real life as it is - indicates what we all know… being more muscular is generally good for men in attracting women. If it wasn’t true - why the fuck is everyone’s advice always to hit the gym and get some muscle? It’s because it’s known to have some effect.
Yes, other things matter but muscles do too!! Stop trying to act like people don’t give a fuck about physical attraction! It’s the most important thing to starting a relationship! (It is an absolute deal breaker in our modern society to find your partner ugly!)
I was trying to say that hiding your face in a dating profile picture is an easy way to get ignored, but I went too far with it.