📊 Study Response Tracker

Total Started

Completed

Beautifying

Non-Beautifying

Control (no-filter)0

Target sample180 participants (60 per condition)

Design2×2 Mixed Factorial

Trial 1Assigned condition (beauty / non-beauty / no-filter)

Trial 2No-filter baseline

Selfie photosDeleted after compliance check

StorageQualtrics encrypted server

* Counter is session-based for this prototype. Live Qualtrics version logs responses automatically.

🔒 Data Recording & Privacy

AnonymityFully anonymous

Participant IDAuto-generated code

Selfie photosDeleted after compliance check

TimestampsRecorded per trial

Condition assignedBeautifying / Non-Beautifying / No-Filter

SSES (20 items)Stored per trial

MBSRQ-AE (7 items)Stored per trial

Retention5 years (university ethics policy)

AccessResearcher & supervisor only

Participant Information Sheet

AR Filters & Self-Perception Study

You are invited to participate in a psychology research study at Sunway University examining how augmented reality (AR) social media filters influence self-perception and appearance satisfaction among young adults in Malaysia.

⏱ ~20–25 min | 🔁 2 Trials | 📱 Smartphone required | 🔒 Fully anonymous

What will you do? You will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: a beautifying AR filter, a non-beautifying AR filter, or a no-filter control. You will complete two trials — Trial 1 using your assigned condition, and Trial 2 without any filter. Questionnaires are completed after each trial.

Selfie verification: You will be asked to upload your selfie after each trial to confirm the task was completed. Photos are deleted immediately after verification — never stored or shared.

Risks: Minimal. You may withdraw at any time without penalty.

Contact: Principal Investigator — research@sunway.edu.my

Informed Consent

Please confirm your agreement

Check each box to confirm your agreement before proceeding.

I have read and understood the Participant Information Sheet. I understand participation is voluntary and I may withdraw at any time without penalty. I understand my responses are anonymous and used for research purposes only. I consent to completing two trials: Trial 1 with my assigned condition and Trial 2 without any filter. I consent to uploading a selfie per trial for compliance verification, which will be deleted immediately after. I confirm I am aged 18–30, reside in Malaysia, and have a camera-enabled smartphone. I confirm I have previously used social media platforms with AR filters (e.g. Instagram or TikTok).

Step 3 of 11 — Demographic Questionnaire

About You

All information is collected anonymously and stored securely.

Age

Gender

Nationality

Level of education

How often do you use social media filters?

Step 4 of 11 — Condition Assignment

Your assigned condition

You have been randomly assigned to the following experimental condition:

✦

Beautifying Filter YOUR CONDITION Enhances facial features — skin smoothing, complexion brightening, facial refinement

◦

Non-Beautifying Filter YOUR CONDITION Entertainment-oriented effect — does not enhance attractiveness

○

No Filter — Control YOUR CONDITION No AR filter applied — natural, unmodified appearance

📋 Study overview: Trial 1 = your assigned condition above · Trial 2 = no-filter baseline · Questionnaires after each trial · Your condition and timestamps are recorded for validity.

Trial 1 of 2 — Filter Task

Complete the Filter Task

▦

Scan with your phone camera — opens the filter directly in Instagram / TikTok

Ensure your full face is clearly visible in good lighting. Take one selfie.

Save the photo to your camera roll, then upload it below as compliance verification.

Upload your selfie (required)

📸

Tap to select your selfie
JPG or PNG

🔒 Your photo is used only to verify task completion. It is deleted immediately after the compliance check.

Trial 1 of 2 — Viewing Period

View Your Selfie Now

Look carefully at your selfie on your phone for the full 60 seconds. Pay attention to your appearance in the image.

1:00

remaining

60-second viewing period consistent with Mills et al. (2018) and Dijkslag et al. (2024).

Trial 1 of 2 — Manipulation Check

About the Image You Just Viewed

Please rate the following based on the selfie you just viewed. There are no right or wrong answers.

1 = Strongly Disagree · 3 = Neutral · 5 = Strongly Agree

1. The image made me look more physically attractive.

2. The image had digital enhancements applied (e.g. skin smoothing, facial refinement).

3. The image was primarily for entertainment rather than attractiveness enhancement.

4. The image appeared digitally altered.

5. The image looked natural and unmodified.

Trial 1 of 2 — Self-Perception

How do you feel about your appearance right now?

Rate each item according to how you feel at this moment, immediately after viewing your selfie. Focus on your facial appearance and how you look.

1 = Not at all · 2 = A little bit · 3 = Somewhat · 4 = Very much · 5 = Extremely

Appearance Self-Esteem subscale — State Self-Esteem Scale (SSES; Heatherton & Polivy, 1991) · α > .80

1. I feel unattractive right now. (R)

2. I feel pleased with my appearance right now.

3. I am worried about how my face looks. (R)

4. I feel that my face looks right.

5. I feel embarrassed about my appearance. (R)

6. I feel comfortable with the way I look.

7. I feel satisfied with my facial appearance right now.

(R) = Reverse-scored. Higher scores = more positive appearance self-esteem.

Trial 1 of 2 — Appearance Satisfaction

Your appearance right now

Indicate how much you agree or disagree with each statement at this moment.

1 = Definitely Disagree · 3 = Neither · 5 = Definitely Agree

Appearance Evaluation (AE) subscale — MBSRQ (Cash, 2000) · α > .80

1. I like my looks just the way they are.

2. I wish I looked better. (R)

3. I'm physically unattractive. (R)

4. Most people would consider me good-looking.

5. I like the way I look without my clothes.

6. I dislike my physique. (R)

7. I'm not happy with the way I look. (R)

(R) = Reverse-scored. Higher scores = greater appearance satisfaction.

✓

Trial 1 Complete

Trial 1 responses saved

You will now complete Trial 2 — the same procedure but without any filter. This serves as your personal no-filter baseline, allowing within-person comparison of your responses.

Please take a short 2-minute break before continuing.

✓

Debriefing & Study Completion

Both Trials Complete — Thank You!

Purpose of this study: This research examined whether exposure to beautifying AR filters, non-beautifying AR filters, or no filter produces measurable differences in state self-perception and appearance satisfaction among young adults in Malaysia. The State Self-Esteem Scale (Heatherton & Polivy, 1991) and the Appearance Evaluation subscale of the MBSRQ (Cash, 2000) were used to capture your immediate responses across both trials.

You were assigned to the . AR filters apply digital enhancements that do not represent realistic appearance standards. Any temporary feelings of appearance-related discomfort are expected to subside shortly.

Your selfie photos have been deleted. Only your anonymous questionnaire responses are retained for analysis.

If you feel distressed:
📞 Befrienders KL: 03-7627 2929 (24 hrs)
🏫 Sunway University Counselling: counselling@sunway.edu.my
📧 Researcher: research@sunway.edu.my

Thank you for your valuable contribution to research on digital well-being and self-perception in Malaysia.