Distracted Boyfriend: A Study in Attention Economy

Lina Stare , Eva Wanderey

A taxonomy of stock-photo infidelity tropes and the visual hierarchy of distracted-boyfriend variants.

We deconstruct the visual hierarchy of stock-photo infidelity tropes and propose a taxonomy of distracted-boyfriend variants. The head-turn vector is identified as load-bearing in attention-economy discourse. We close with practical guidance for researchers attempting to remain focused on the partner already standing next to them.