What is is the mirror how people see you?

It's a common question: Does a mirror show you how you really look, or is it just a reversed image? The answer is a bit complex, and depends on what you mean by "how people see you."

• Mirrors show a laterally inverted image: This means your left appears as your right, and vice versa. This is why things like your part in your hair might seem to be on the opposite side in a mirror. So, a mirror image is not exactly how others see you.

• Photos and videos are closer to how others see you: While lenses and angles can distort images in photos and videos, they generally don't present a reversed image. They're a better representation of your "true" appearance, although lighting and posing can still significantly affect how you look.

• The "mere-exposure effect" plays a role: People are more drawn to the things that are most familiar to them. The mirror image is what you're most used to seeing, and that familiarity can influence your perception of your own attractiveness. Others see the non-reversed version of your face, which may make them see you different than you perceive yourself.

• Asymmetry is normal: Human faces are rarely perfectly symmetrical. Since we see ourselves in the mirror most often, the slightly skewed reversed image is what we grow accustomed to. Then seeing ourselves in a photograph can feel jarring because asymmetry becomes more obvious.

• Ultimately, perception is subjective: How someone sees you is more than just a visual image. It's influenced by their experiences, biases, and how you interact with them. So, while a mirror or photograph can give an approximation, it's not the full story.

Here are the linked concepts:

• Lateral Inversion
• Mere-Exposure Effect
• Facial Asymmetry
• Subjective Perception