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People are Judging You Based on Your Shoes & Here’s What They Have to Say

I’ll admit it. I have judged people by the shoes they wear on their feet. Call me shallow, call me superficial, but don’t try and tell me you haven’t once or twice done the same thing. And who cares if you did? A new study reveals we can tell a lot about a person by what they slip their toes into, whether it be age, income or personality.

“We were interested in how people are able to form quick first impressions,” said Wellesley professor Dr. Angela Bahns to MSNBC.

Bahns worked alongside researchers from the University of Kansas to conduct the study, in which they asked 208 college students ranging in age from 18 to 55 to bring in a photograph of the shoes they wear most often. After filling out additional personality tests, 63 separate University of Kansas students were tasked with looking at the pictures of the shoes and rating the owner on their personality, attachment style, political preference and demographic measures, such as age, gender and family income.

There were photos of boots, flip-flops, lace-ups, loafers, sandals and sneakers — the most common type of shoe. What the researchers found is that people were best at judging a stranger’s age, sex and income, which Bahns tells MSNBC are “pretty visible.” Designer labels are the easiest way to indicate a person’s income. I can spot the red sole of a Christian Louboutin from miles away.

What Bahns said was surprising, however, is that people could accurately guess attachment anxiety based on footwear. It could be from visible signs, like color or upkeep, which they found could convey either how laid back a person or is, or how concerned they are about appearances.

Curious as to what your shoes say about you? Sonia Su and I have put together a list of what we’re unscientifically thinking — and what others might be thinking, as well — when we glance down at your feet. My warning? I’d lay off the Crocs.

from BostInno http://bostinno.com/2012/06/14/people-are-judging-you-based-on-your-shoes-her...