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By now, you've probably seen at least a couple of babies who look like old people. But this deceiving image isn't exclusive to the tiniest ones. Bored Panda has collected a list of childhood photos where kids also appear to be at least a couple of decades in decay, and they're just as hilarious. From a 10-year-old sassy grandma to a 40-year-old receptionist attending 4th grade, you'd think these unfortunate folks would be the ones pinching your cheeks at the next family reunion. Truth is, they will actually be on the receiving end instead. Scroll down, enjoy, and upvote your faves!

#1

My Friend's Baby Pictures Look Like Mrs. Doubtfire

My Friend's Baby Pictures Look Like Mrs. Doubtfire

elpintogrande Report

If you're worried about your embarrassing photos that might one day crawl out of your hard drive and spread over the Internet, don't be. We all are. In fact, there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for why the person staring back at you looks so very unfamiliar, even though that person is you. The answer to why you hate seeing photos of yourself is mirrors. The explanation given in a TED talk by photographer Duncan Davidson, for example, explains how "perception, mirrors, and the uncanny valley make us hate photos of ourselves."

Back in 1977, in a study titled "Reversed Facial Images and the Mere-Exposure Hypothesis," psychologists Theodore H. Mita, Marshall Dermer, and Jeffrey Knight concluded that "individuals will prefer a facial photograph that corresponds to their mirror image rather than to their true image." As the title of the study suggests, everything has to do with something called the mere-exposure effect.

#3

I Looked Like A Middle Aged Man When I Was A Child

I Looked Like A Middle Aged Man When I Was A Child

Strid3r21 Report

The mere-exposure effect was first proposed in the 1960s by Stanford psychologist, Robert Zajonc. According to Gizmodo, "In its simplest terms, the mere-exposure effect is a psychological phenomenon whereby a person develops a preference for a stimulus based solely on his or her repeated exposure to (and subsequent familiarity with) it. The effect has been demonstrated with an array of stimuli (words, paintings, sounds) and across cultures. It's even been observed in other species."

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#4

When It’s Your First Day Of Kindergarten And Also Your First Day As Head Of The PTA

When It’s Your First Day Of Kindergarten And Also Your First Day As Head Of The PTA

DragonfireEsq Report

So the truth is, if photograph-you looked like mirror-image you, in a way, everyone else would think you look bizarre. The same researchers, who showed a person is more likely to prefer a facial photograph that corresponds to their mirror image rather than their true image, also demonstrated that the opposite was true when the images were shown to the person's friends. So, again, don't worry about it. Photograph-you looks great.

#5

When You Look Over 40 But You're Actually 12

When You Look Over 40 But You're Actually 12

ThatSquareChick Report

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The Dutches
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter was 11 when she started experimenting with makeup. So for her 12th birthday I organized a makeup party with a beautician. Great fun. Of course we made pictures. When she saw them, she was shocked to see herself as a 25 year old. After that she hasn't touched makeup till she was finished in collage, and only sparsely.

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#6

Yeah, So I Heard My Best Friend Was Made Into A Meme Called The 60-Year-Old Girl

Yeah, So I Heard My Best Friend Was Made Into A Meme Called The 60-Year-Old Girl

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#7

My Wife Was A 40-Year-Old Receptionist In 4th Grade

My Wife Was A 40-Year-Old Receptionist In 4th Grade

skelliousmaximus Report

#9

This Is Why I Never Had A Girlfriend In High School. I Looked 35 When I Was 14

This Is Why I Never Had A Girlfriend In High School. I Looked 35 When I Was 14

pachewychomp Report

#10

I Looked Like An Old Jewish Man In 9th Grade

I Looked Like An Old Jewish Man In 9th Grade

Mymajesticmoose Report

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#11

The Blunder Brothers, Circa 1994. I'm In Purple

The Blunder Brothers, Circa 1994. I'm In Purple

dame_condor Report

#12

Glamour Shot Blunder (7-Years-Old)

Glamour Shot Blunder (7-Years-Old)

denovosibi Report

#14

My Friend's Yearbook Picture From 2nd Grade. Apparently She Used To Be A Lesbian Art Teacher

My Friend's Yearbook Picture From 2nd Grade. Apparently She Used To Be A Lesbian Art Teacher

mojoso Report

#15

That Time I Went To My High School Prom And Looked Like A 45-Year-Old Woman

That Time I Went To My High School Prom And Looked Like A 45-Year-Old Woman

Clairdassian Report

#16

I Was Born In 1981, But Turned 55 In 1992

I Was Born In 1981, But Turned 55 In 1992

caahtatonic Report

#17

First Day Of High School, I Was Apparently Going For The 70-Year-Old Man Look

First Day Of High School, I Was Apparently Going For The 70-Year-Old Man Look

shrewlad_ Report

#18

At Age 10 I Looked Like I Was Ready To Give Up And Change My Name To Linda

At Age 10 I Looked Like I Was Ready To Give Up And Change My Name To Linda

dutchessmurderteeth Report

#19

I Too Was Born In 1981. I Present To You, The Butch Soccer Mom (I'm A Guy)

I Too Was Born In 1981. I Present To You, The Butch Soccer Mom (I'm A Guy)

ohlaph Report

#20

A Friend Of Mine Gave Me Permission To Post This Gem. Circa Early 90s

A Friend Of Mine Gave Me Permission To Post This Gem. Circa Early 90s

Sgt_Pepsi Report

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Slinkman
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1. Take a pan 2. Put it on your head 3. Ask your mum to cut your hair around die edges of it 4. BAM!! INSTANT FASHION

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#21

After The Seventh Child My Mom Decided It’s Just Easier To Dress Me In Her Own Clothes

After The Seventh Child My Mom Decided It’s Just Easier To Dress Me In Her Own Clothes

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#23

I Was Dwight Schrute When I Was 15

I Was Dwight Schrute When I Was 15

statix138 Report

#24

1981. I Thought I Was The **** In My Band Uniform And Permed Hair, And Weighing All Of 90 Pounds (With The Cymbals)

1981. I Thought I Was The **** In My Band Uniform And Permed Hair, And Weighing All Of 90 Pounds (With The Cymbals)

Daftpool Report

#26

My Friend Looked Like Elton John When He Was Younger

My Friend Looked Like Elton John When He Was Younger

Rafa90 Report

#27

I Was In 2nd Grade. I Look Like I Am 50

I Was In 2nd Grade. I Look Like I Am 50

raperil009 Report

#29

My Sister's Glamour Shot: Age 4

My Sister's Glamour Shot: Age 4

Elatedonion Report

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#31

ExamFantastic5768 Report

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Jayne Gilbert
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is one of the best photos ever! I can just imagine him sitting on a rocker on his front porch, watching the world go by. Absolutely adorable :-)

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Note: this post originally had 77 images. It’s been shortened to the top 31 images based on user votes.