When Looking “Good” Can Really Pay Off
The Daily Mail reports that University of New South Wales researchers analyzed thousands of selfies posted to Instagram and Twitter from people in 113 countries. They found women who live in environments with greater economic inequality were the most likely to sexualize themselves in images.
(could it be "bait" to attract a path to a better life..i.e. a Richer Guy?)
The pattern held even when researchers controlled for other factors like population size, human development, and internet access.
Study authors conclude that sexy selfies are a marker of social climbing among women that tracks economic incentives in the local environment. In other words, in today's environment, looking sexy can generate large returns, economically, socially, and personally.