YES: Emily Lovegrove, Centre for Appearance Research, University of the West of England.
In an appearance-obsessed world that has increasingly homogenised images of normality, the answer has to be emphatically yes.
We already know about the impact of continual staring and negative comments about appearance on those who are disfigured. And if you were treated this way, how would you be likely to react? Would you feel awkward? Try to avoid being noticed, and avoid eye contact? Bullies gain their self-esteem by putting others down.
If you can now imagine yourself as a bully, who is the easiest target?
The person who exudes confidence and friendliness? Or the one who looks diffident and awkward? If you feel bad about your appearance, this will be reflected in your negative body language, which is more likely to be targeted by bullies. If you can change this around by feeling good about yourself, this will be evident in your positive body language, deflecting bullying and increasing a sense of self-worth.
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