Quickie: Planning a First Date on Zoom? Pay Attention to the Background
Some images lead to better first impressions than others
When you’re testing the waters with someone, you may want to have your first date on Zoom to quickly see if there’s any chemistry between you and your potential partner. In fact, you may think this approach is easier because you can focus on impressing your date with your conversation skills and personality.
However, making a good first impression on a digital date may come down to something you haven’t thought much about — your background.
The Message Your Zoom Background Sends Your Online Date
In a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers Paddy Ross, Abi Cook, and Meg Thompson asked 167 people to look at still images that appeared to be taken from a videoconference. The men and women in the images either had a neutral or smiling face, and not surprisingly, people who were smiling in the photos were perceived as being more trustworthy. What may surprise you, however, is the role the backgrounds of the photos played in study participants’ perceptions.
“If you want to come across as trustworthy and competent, there are some backgrounds you…
