Do users' profile pictures affect your opinion of them?

[Clawdeen 14,096]

It’s nothing more than a picture. Their personality means much more. 

[Astralshy 26,625]

I always try to difference between people, their opinions, avatars etc. So at least I want to think I'm not affected

[Nitobit 1,837]

They do. Your profile picture is a way for you to express yourself, just like any other element of your profile. It's also usually the first thing you see from a user, so it would be hard to completely ignore it.

[Luna the Great of all the Russias 2,984]

Yes, at least to the extent that it is part of the first impression I have of the user. But the influence of the avatar in my opinion of a user decreases as I become more familiar with them.

But, also, when I visualize the user, I tend to think of them as actually being their avatar even though this is obviously not the case. So, for instance, I see someone with a pony avatar, and think of them as a pony; if by chance I see a real photograph of said user, it is usually... startling..? for me to see that, surprise surprise, they are human. I suppose this is an example of the difference between knowing something, and having internalized it (that every single user is obviously a human).

Edited May 18, 2023 by Luna the Great of all the Russias

[Sparklefan1234 170,564]

Yes. For example, my Bestie @Savy having a Pipp Petals avatar definitely helped me to find a conversation starter and now we're Besties! 

[Longhaul 6,862]

Not to a great extent.  I try not to form opinions on anyone until I have the chance to really get to know them as an individual.

[Tao 7,748]

It kinda shows their taste a bit and persona I think in its own ways.  

[Cash In 22,305]

Not really. Avatars mainly just give me a visual that I can associate a member with.

[Mirage 24,766]

I think avatars express personality a lot. But my opinion of them depends on how they actually behave.

[Tacodidra 61,155]

Not really. Other than their taste in art, maybe – many users here have very eye-catching avatars. And if they have an avatar of a pony I like (especially Coco, though I don't often see avatars of her), I know they have good taste.

[RDDash 19,172]

I mean kind of, but at the same time not really. 

[EpicEnergy 23,218]

Not really, avatars don't seem to affect my opinion of anyone online.

[Megas 27,624]

I mean unless it's something obscene or only done meant to get a rise out of people it's usually not an issue

[Guest]

Absolutely! I judge every single one of you, every day. You are either a pony or not a pony. There is no in between!!!

Tbh- I look at personality as well since some ponies here are quite different than what they TRULY seem.