TY - JOUR
T1 - Face gender and stereotypicality influence facial trait evaluation
T2 - Counter-stereotypical female faces are negatively evaluated
AU - Sutherland, Clare A M
AU - Young, Andrew W.
AU - Mootz, Carmen A.
AU - Oldmeadow, Julian A.
PY - 2015/5
Y1 - 2015/5
N2 - The facial first impressions literature has focused on trait dimensions, with less research on how social categories (like gender) may influence first impressions of faces. Yet, social psychological studies have shown the importance of categories like gender in the evaluation of behaviour. We investigated whether face gender affects the positive or negative evaluation of faces in terms of first impressions. In, we manipulated facial gender stereotypicality, and in, facial trustworthiness or dominance, and examined the valence of resulting spontaneous descriptions of male and female faces. For both male and female participants, counter-stereotypical (masculine or dominant looking), female faces were perceived more negatively than facially stereotypical male or female faces. In, we examined how facial dominance and trustworthiness affected rated valence across 1,000 male and female ambient face images, and replicated the finding that dominance is more negatively evaluated for female faces. In, the same effect was found with short stimulus presentations. These findings integrate the facial first impressions literature with evaluative differences based on social categories.
AB - The facial first impressions literature has focused on trait dimensions, with less research on how social categories (like gender) may influence first impressions of faces. Yet, social psychological studies have shown the importance of categories like gender in the evaluation of behaviour. We investigated whether face gender affects the positive or negative evaluation of faces in terms of first impressions. In, we manipulated facial gender stereotypicality, and in, facial trustworthiness or dominance, and examined the valence of resulting spontaneous descriptions of male and female faces. For both male and female participants, counter-stereotypical (masculine or dominant looking), female faces were perceived more negatively than facially stereotypical male or female faces. In, we examined how facial dominance and trustworthiness affected rated valence across 1,000 male and female ambient face images, and replicated the finding that dominance is more negatively evaluated for female faces. In, the same effect was found with short stimulus presentations. These findings integrate the facial first impressions literature with evaluative differences based on social categories.
KW - Face perception
KW - First impressions
KW - Gender stereotyping
KW - Person perception
KW - Social cognition
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84906531888&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/bjop.12085
DO - 10.1111/bjop.12085
M3 - Article
SN - 0007-1269
VL - 106
SP - 186
EP - 208
JO - British Journal of Psychology
JF - British Journal of Psychology
IS - 2
ER -