‘Beer goggles’: Here’s why alcohol consumption makes unattractive people seem attractive

In a recent study, researchers explored the ‘beer goggles’ effect’ in which consumption of alcohol makes even physically unattractive persons appear beautiful.

In a recent study, researchers explored the ‘beer goggles’ effect’ in which consumption of alcohol makes even physically unattractive persons appear beautiful. Researchers carried out a computer-based study in local bars and pubs, by asking participants to respond to stimuli while ignoring photos of attractive and unattractive faces.

In a recent study, researchers explored the ‘beer goggles’ effect’ in which consumption of alcohol makes even physically unattractive persons appear beautiful. (UNSPLASH)

It found that while sober participants were distracted more by attractive faces, the attention of those who were intoxicated were diverted equally by both attractive and unattractive faces. The findings of the study were published in the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviours.

The study was conducted by Dr Rebecca Monk and Professor Derek Heimin the University’s Ormskirk campus. According to the lead author of the study, Dr Monk, “Previous research into the beer goggles phenomena yielded inconsistent findings and has been largely limited to asking people directly about how attractive they find others. By using an indirect measure of attention, our research was able to overcome some of these limitations.”

“We know that attractive faces can pull attention away from the task at hand, but our research suggests that alcohol has the capacity to lessen this effect; to level the playing field.”

“It’s remarkable that in our study participants were only mildly intoxicated, suggesting that it doesn’t take much alcohol at all for people to ‘put on their beer goggles’,” Monk added.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)

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