Facing The Camera: Self-Image Struggles

Many people dislike seeing themselves on camera, and there are several reasons for this phenomenon. One reason is the mere-exposure effect, which suggests that people react more favourably to things they see more often. As we typically see ourselves in mirrors, this becomes our preferred self-image. However, when a camera captures our slight facial asymmetries without flipping them, we see an unappealing, unfamiliar version of ourselves. This is further exacerbated by confirmation bias, where we seek out information that confirms our previously held beliefs. If we think we are awkward on camera, we will look for evidence to support this belief, ignoring any signs that contradict it. Additionally, the familiarity principle comes into play, as we tend to prefer and trust things, products, and people that are familiar to us. Since our reflection is a mirror image, the true image of ourselves captured on camera can seem odd and unfamiliar.

Our brains are wired to focus on our flaws

The human brain is a fascinating organ, capable of processing images in milliseconds and making decisions based on that information in under a second. However, when it comes to seeing ourselves on camera, our brains can sometimes work against us. One of the critical factors at play here is the concept of familiarity.

We are used to seeing our faces in a certain way, primarily through mirrors, which show a reflected version of ourselves. Over time, our brains develop a familiarity bias toward this mirror image, and any deviation from it can seem "off". This is further exacerbated by the fact that human faces are not perfectly symmetrical, so the unreflected version of ourselves that others see and that appears on camera can seem alien and unfamiliar. This phenomenon is known as the "mere-exposure effect", where we react more favourably to things we see more often.

In addition to this, our brains are wired to focus on our flaws due to something called confirmation bias. We tend to seek out and find information that backs up our previously held beliefs. So, if we believe we are awkward on camera, we will look for evidence to confirm this belief when reviewing footage. We tend to ignore positive aspects and focus on any slight hint of clumsiness or imperfection. This can create a vicious cycle where our negative beliefs about ourselves are reinforced.

It's important to recognise that these biases exist and that they can distort our perception of ourselves. By becoming more aware of them, we can start to challenge and overcome them. For example, by repeatedly exposing ourselves to our non-mirror image, we can develop a greater familiarity and comfort with how we truly appear to others. Additionally, we can practice reframing our negative thoughts and actively seeking out positive aspects when reviewing footage of ourselves.

While it may be challenging to break free from the grip of these biases, it is possible to develop a more positive and accurate view of ourselves on camera. With patience and persistence, we can learn to see ourselves as others do and break free from the negative self-image that our brains sometimes present.

We are used to seeing our mirror image

The human brain is wired to dislike the way it looks on video or camera. This is because we are used to seeing our mirror image, which is slightly different from how we truly appear. Our brains develop a "familiarity bias" towards our mirror image, and so every other view of ourselves, including the one a camera captures, looks "off".

This phenomenon is called the "mere-exposure effect". Coined in 1968 by psychologist Robert Zajonc, it states that people react more favourably to things they see more often. Since we see ourselves most frequently in the mirror, this becomes our preferred self-image. When our slight facial asymmetries are not flipped as they are in a mirror image, we see an unappealing, unfamiliar version of ourselves.

In a 1977 study, researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee asked participants to look at two pictures of themselves and choose the one they preferred. The pictures were identical, except one was a mirror image. Participants preferred the mirror image of themselves over the original. Conversely, when looking at pictures of friends and loved ones, they preferred the original to the mirror copy. The researchers concluded that we prefer to see mirror images of ourselves because that is how we normally see ourselves.

Because human beings are not symmetrical, the version of ourselves we see in a mirror is slightly different from the version other people see when they look at us. So when we see a photo or video of ourselves that isn't a mirror image, our brains automatically say, "that's not me".

The more we see ourselves on camera, the more our brains can get used to this view, and the easier it becomes to accept it.

We seek information that confirms our negative beliefs

Confirmation bias is a type of cognitive bias that makes people favour information that confirms their previously existing beliefs or biases. This bias affects not only how we gather information but also how we interpret and recall it.

People tend to selectively focus on, notice, and give greater credence to information that confirms their views while ignoring or discrediting data that does not. This is because we want to be right, so we look for all the information that corroborates our thoughts. We also tend to have a stronger emotional reaction to information that confirms our beliefs.

When it comes to our self-perception, confirmation bias can be particularly damaging. We have preconceived notions about the way we look, sound, and act, and our self-esteem is largely dependent on these preconceived notions. When we see ourselves on camera, we are seeing ourselves from a different angle than we are used to in the mirror. This unfamiliar view can make us more critical of our appearance and confirm our negative beliefs about ourselves.

For example, if someone believes they are awkward on camera, they will be looking for evidence of that when they review the footage. No matter how smoothly they presented, any slight hint of clumsiness will confirm their negative belief and they will perceive themselves as a real-life Mr. Bean.

Confirmation bias can also affect our memory for feedback. A study by George Washington University psychologist Amber Story showed that our ability to remember feedback depends on whether that feedback is congruent with our self-esteem. If someone says you are awkward, you are likely to remember that. But if ten people say you are great, you will forget about their positive feedback.

To combat confirmation bias, it is important to be aware of its signs and try to consider all the evidence available, rather than just that which confirms our existing views. It can also be helpful to seek out different perspectives and be willing to change our minds in light of new evidence.

Cameras don't show our true face

The Familiarity Principle

The human brain is wired to prefer the mirror image of our faces. This is because, throughout our lives, we have been exposed to our mirror image and have grown accustomed to it. This phenomenon is known as the Familiarity Principle or the mere-exposure effect. According to this principle, repeated exposure to something makes us like it more.

As a result, when we see our true image on camera, it looks odd and unfamiliar to us. This is because our faces are not perfectly symmetrical, and the version of our faces we see in the mirror is slightly different from what others see when they look at us, and what we see when we view ourselves on camera.

Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias is our tendency to search for and find information that backs up our previously held beliefs. When we review footage of ourselves, we tend to look for evidence that confirms our negative beliefs about ourselves. Any slight hint of clumsiness or awkwardness will reinforce the belief that we are awkward on camera.

Technical Factors

Different camera lenses and technical factors can also change the way people look in photos. For example, shorter lenses tend to make faces appear wider, while longer lenses make them appear slimmer. The proximity of the camera to the subject also matters. Features that are closest to the lens, such as noses, tend to be emphasised in photos.

Additionally, cameras are limited in what they can capture compared to the human eye. They have a single "eye" and cannot view a scene in stereo like human eyes can. This affects the relative distance and perspective of objects in the image.

So, What Can We Do?

Understanding these psychological and technical factors can help us become more comfortable with seeing ourselves on camera. We can also try to focus our attention away from the camera, such as by concentrating on delivering value to our audience.

It is also important to remember that we are our own worst critics, and others do not perceive us as harshly as we perceive ourselves.

We are more critical of ourselves than others are of us

Many people dislike seeing themselves on camera. This is due to a variety of psychological factors, including the "mirror-mirror bias", the "familiarity principle", and confirmation bias.

The "mirror-mirror bias" refers to the fact that we are used to seeing our reflection in the mirror, which is a reversed version of how we actually look. Our faces are not perfectly symmetrical, so the version of ourselves we see in the mirror is slightly different from how other people see us and how we appear in photos and videos. When we see ourselves on camera, our brains respond with "that's NOT me!". This is compounded by the fact that the acoustics of our heads cause us to hear our voices at a deeper pitch than others do, adding to the unfamiliarity of our appearance and making us more critical.

The "familiarity principle" states that we prefer people, objects, and products that we are more familiar with. However, despite seeing our own faces in the mirror every day, we are not actually that familiar with our true faces. The face we see in the mirror is a mirror image, and our brains prefer this version because it is what we are used to. When we see our true face on camera, it looks slightly off, and we become more critical as our brains scan for cues to help define who we are seeing.

Confirmation bias is our tendency to search for and find information that backs up our previously held beliefs. If we think we are awkward on camera, we will look for evidence to confirm this belief when reviewing footage. Our brains want us to be right, so we focus on any slight hint of clumsiness or awkwardness, even if the overall performance was smooth and natural.

These biases can lead to increased self-criticism, which can have negative consequences for our mental and physical health. Self-criticism can trigger the fight-or-flight-or-freeze response, leading to increased blood pressure, adrenaline, and cortisol. This can cause weight gain, migraines, and a suppressed immune system. It is also associated with higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.

So, the next time you find yourself cringing at seeing your face on screen, remember that you are not alone in this feeling. By understanding the psychological biases at play, you can start to overcome them and feel more comfortable in front of the camera.

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