Faces and First Impressions

Question 1

attractiveness halo effect

Answer 1

more attractive faces –> more positive impressions

Question 2

what makes attractive faces attractive?

Answer 2

• faces that are more symmetrical
• “typical” faces/”average” features
• faces that are more prototypical

Question 3

Galton’s hypothesis

Answer 3

• certain groups of people may have common facial characteristics
• created photographic composite images of faces of vegetarians and criminals to see if there was a typical face appearance
• results: composite image was more attractive than component faces

Question 4

why are symmetrical and prototypical faces perceived to be attractive? (1)

Answer 4

prototypicality is easy on the brain

the prototypicality of some perceptual stimulus -> easier for the brain to quickly figure out what is (processing fluency) -> more positive affective response

Question 5

processing fluency

Answer 5

• easy for the brain to figure out = positive response
• harder for the brain to figure out = less positive response

Question 6

why are symmetrical and prototypical faces perceived to be attractive? (2)

Answer 6

symmetry and prototypicality imply good health

facial irregularities -> unhealthy -> unattractive

Question 7

trick-able (overgeneralization errors)

Answer 7

• use our FAST thinking (system 1)
• has consequences

PERCEPTION: facial irregularities -> unhealthy -> unattractive (FAST)

REALITY: illness -> temporary facial irregularities

Question 8

anomalous face overgeneralization

Answer 8

PERCEPTION: facial regularities (symmetry, prototypicality) -> “healthy” -> “attractive”

• explains how people form impressions of faces based on their attractiveness

Question 9

baby-faced faces

Answer 9

REALITY: baby -> baby-ish facial features (round face, big eyes, etc.)

PERCEPTION: baby-ish facial features (round face, big eyes, etc.) -> “baby” -> “nice” / “incompetent”

Question 10

baby-face overgeneralization

Answer 10

judicial decision-making
- baby-faced defendant are less likely to be judges guilty of crimes involving criminal intent
- more likely to be judged guilty of criminal negligence

Question 11

similar faces

Answer 11

REALITY: close kin -> similar facial features

PERCEPTION: similar facial features (“they look kinda like me”) -> “close kin” -> “trustworthy” etc.

Question 12

a useful template for thinking about how faces influence impressions

Answer 12

REALITY: [something] -> specific sorts of facial features

PERCEPTION: specific sorts of facial features -> judgement about [something] -> impressions that jive with that judgement

Question 13

research results (similar faces)

Answer 13

• strangers with similar faces are judged to be more trustworthy and elicit more helpful and cooperative behaviour
• people are more likely to vote for politicians who look more similar to themselves
• opposite-sex strangers with similar faces are judged to be less sexually attractive