unilad homepage
unilad homepage
    • News
      • UK News
      • US News
      • World News
      • Crime
      • Health
      • Money
      • Sport
      • Travel
    • Music
    • Technology
    • Film and TV
      • News
      • DC Comics
      • Disney
      • Marvel
      • Netflix
    • Celebrity
    • Politics
    • Advertise
    • Terms
    • Privacy & Cookies
    • LADbible Group
    • LADbible
    • SPORTbible
    • GAMINGbible
    • Tyla
    • UNILAD Tech
    • FOODbible
    • License Our Content
    • About Us & Contact
    • Jobs
    • Latest
    • Archive
    • Topics A-Z
    • Authors
    Facebook
    Instagram
    X
    Threads
    TikTok
    YouTube
    Submit Your Content
    Scientists reveal why the left side of your face is actually considered your 'good side'

    Home> Community

    Published 15:17 9 Jul 2024 GMT+1

    Scientists reveal why the left side of your face is actually considered your 'good side'

    You might think there's nothing in it, but one study has suggested a potential reason why we have a preference for one side of our faces

    Kit Roberts

    Kit Roberts

    google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
    Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/aire images/Alena Frolova

    Topics: Science, Beauty

    Kit Roberts
    Kit Roberts

    Kit joined UNILAD in 2023 as a community journalist. They have previously worked for StokeonTrentLive, the Daily Mirror, and the Daily Star.

    Advert

    Advert

    Advert

    We've all been there, posing for a quick selfie on a night out, only for this 'quick selfie' to swiftly descend into a full blown photo shoot as no angle seems quite right.

    But one psychology paper has suggested that there may actually be a 'correct' angle for us to take a picture from.

    Of course, anyone who has a lot of pictures taken of them will have a good idea of how they look best when having their picture taken.

    No-one wants to be surprised by a photographer and show up flaunting a strained grimace in place of a smile.

    Advert

    But let's assume that you get adequate warning and manage to not look like a startled possum in the picture, there is still an objective 'best side' according to this study.

    Not only that, but it's not even based on the idiosyncratic face shape of the person in the picture.

    It seems there could be a 'correct' angle. (Xavier Lorenzo / Getty)
    It seems there could be a 'correct' angle. (Xavier Lorenzo / Getty)

    So, what is this based on?

    In a strange but fascinating idea, the study proposes that the way that our brains are structured could affect how we perceive the different sides of our face.

    Specifically, the theory suggests that the left side of our face is the 'right' side to preference when taking a selfie.

    Is that clear? The left side is the right side, right?

    The study, which was published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology first noted that the majority of people seemed to have a bias for adopting a preferred pose.

    The theory was put forward by Annukka Lindell, a senior lecturer in experimental neuropsychology at La Trobe University in Melbourne.

    It consisted of Lindell examining 2,000 selfies to find out which side of the face featured more.

    But why the particular focus on one side? (monkeybusinessimages / Getty)
    But why the particular focus on one side? (monkeybusinessimages / Getty)

    The study found that the pictures showed 'left cheek bias' 41 percent of the time, 31.5 percent on a 'right cheek bias', an overall 'midline bias' at 19.5 percent, and 'no overall bias' at 8 percent.

    Lindell wrote: "Given that only 8 percent of selfie- takers showed no overall bias, the tendency to repeatedly adopt a preferred pose appears to be the norm for selfie takers."

    But why the left side?

    One explanation could be that the left side of the face is more connected to the right hemisphere in the brain, which covers emotions.

    In layperson's terms, this means that the left side exhibits emotions more 'fully', the theory proposes.

    If the theory is correct then it seems there may actually be an objective answer to which is our 'best side'.

    Choose your content:

    10 days ago
    12 days ago
    21 days ago
    23 days ago
    • Facebook
      10 days ago

      Healthy woman explained why she chose to end her life by euthanasia

      Wendy Duffy died by suicide on Friday

      Community
    • EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images
      12 days ago

      Bizarre 'Scientology run' challenge explained as 'raid' trend sees teens storm church's buildings

      Users are divided on the trial, with some asking how they can 'sign up' to take part

      Community
    • ITV
      21 days ago

      Woman marrying convicted murderer on death row opens up about their relationship

      Tiana Krasniqi is set to wed James Broadnax, who was convicted of a double murder in 2009

      Community
    • Getty Stock
      23 days ago

      Hiring managers are sharing the worst interview experiences that make them reject people instantly

      Hiring the right person for the job can be extremely difficult, especially in a world of artificial intelligence and Zoom interviews

      Community
    • Scientists uncover the age people feel 'peak happiness' and reveal why
    • Simulation shows what actually happens to your skin during laser tattoo removal
    • Scientists reveal what the length of your fingers really says about you and it might be surprising
    • Scientists reveal why parents should ask their babies for consent to change their diapers