Assessing the roles of shape prototypicality and sexual dimorphism in ratings of the trustworthiness of faces

Leger, K., Dong, J., DeBruine, L. M. , Jones, B. C. and Shiramizu, V. K.M. (2023) Assessing the roles of shape prototypicality and sexual dimorphism in ratings of the trustworthiness of faces. Scientific Reports, 13, 15662. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-42990-6) (PMID:37731069) (PMCID:PMC10511419)

Abstract

Perceptions of the trustworthiness of faces predict important social outcomes, including economic exchange and criminal sentencing decisions. However, the specific facial characteristics that drive trustworthiness perceptions remain poorly understood. Here we investigated this issue by exploring possible relationships between ratings of the trustworthiness of face images and objective assessments of two aspects of face shape that researchers have previously argued are important for perceptions of trustworthiness: distinctiveness and sexual dimorphism. Here we report that faces with more distinctive shapes are rated as less trustworthy, but that sexual dimorphism of face shape is not significantly correlated with trustworthiness ratings. These results suggest that distinctiveness of face shape plays a more important role in trustworthiness perceptions than does sexual dimorphism and suggest that perceptions of trustworthiness may stem, at least in part, from the ‘anomalous-is-bad’ stereotype.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This research was supported by ESRC grant ES/X000249/1 awarded to BCJ and a University of Strathclyde Global Research Award Studentship awarded to KL.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Jones, Professor Benedict and Shiramizu, Dr Victor and DeBruine, Professor Lisa
• Authors: Leger, K., Dong, J., DeBruine, L. M., Jones, B. C., and Shiramizu, V. K.M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: Scientific Reports
• Publisher: Nature Research
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• ISSN (Online): 2045-2322
• Copyright Holders: Copyright: © The Author(s) 2023
• First Published: First published in Scientific Reports 13: 15662
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence