University of Royal Holloway's Dr. Nicholas Furl has a recently published study called "Facial-Attractiveness Choices Are Predicted by Divisive Normalization". The researcher suggested that people become more physically attractive in the presence of an ugly company.
The Ugly Friend Effect
According to the Medical Daily, the findings of Furl's study further confirms the "ugly friend effect" phenomenon. Furl explained that the less attractive person increases the attractiveness of the already physically gifted one. He added that it actually makes people even more choosy in crowds.
The study published in Psychological Science states that the level depends on the company one has.
Furl had asked the participants to rate pictures of different faces for their attractiveness. He then let them evaluate the same faces alongside those who are seemingly unappealing. The effect of the comparison became evident.
Apparently, there was an overwhelming increase of perceived attractiveness. Their beauty has been showcased more when put beside an ugly person.
Furl also showed three pictures: two attractive faces and a "distractor face". Furl mentioned that the "distractor" face makes differences between attractive people more obvious. An outsider would identify those differences. Hence, an even more meticulous judgement on one's looks.
Dr. Furl admitted that the result was not too surprising. He revealed that people are do judged in relation to those around them. Movies and television series are perfect reflections of this scenario.
Similarity To The Hugh Hefner Effect
The Hugh Hefner effect is when people look more attractive in the company of an attractive person. A 2016 study published in Evolutionary Psychology supports this other effect. It was found out that men find women more attractive when they are with other pretty women.
Furl also pointed out that a person's appearance is not fixed. Several factors could contribute to change such perception of people's beauty. He concluded that such an ugly company can affect a person's looks to others.
