Challenging physiognomy: questioning the idea that facial characteristics are indicative of personality

Paper


Wang, Yi Lin and Patrick, Jeff. 2006. "Challenging physiognomy: questioning the idea that facial characteristics are indicative of personality." Katsikitis, Mary (ed.) Psychology Bridging the Tasman: Science, Culture and Practice 2006. Auckland, New Zealand 26 - 30 Sep 2006 Melbourne, Australia.
Paper/Presentation Title

Challenging physiognomy: questioning the idea that facial characteristics are indicative of personality

Presentation TypePaper
AuthorsWang, Yi Lin (Author) and Patrick, Jeff (Author)
EditorsKatsikitis, Mary
Journal or Proceedings TitleProceedings of the 2006 Joint Conference of the Australian Psychological Society and the New Zealand Psychological Society
Number of Pages5
Year2006
Place of PublicationMelbourne, Australia
ISBN0909881308
Web Address (URL) of Paperhttp://www.psychology.org.au/publications/conference_proceedings/
Conference/EventPsychology Bridging the Tasman: Science, Culture and Practice 2006
Event Details
Psychology Bridging the Tasman: Science, Culture and Practice 2006
Event Date
26 to end of 30 Sep 2006
Event Location
Auckland, New Zealand
Abstract

Physiognomy; the idea that facial characteristics are indicative of personality has persisted within the science of psychology despite some questionable supporting evidence. Indeed the idea is not unreasonable if certain premise can be supported. The aim of this research was to test three related premise in order to ascertain whether people could accurately judge the personality of a stranger from only a superficial exposure. An experiment was devised which exposed participants to one of eight video clips. The video clips were all of the same person but varied in duration, whether the eyes were visible, and whether the person was talking. One hundred and forty participants took part in the study. After watching one of the video clips each participant was asked to assess the personality of the person in the video using a standard personality questionnaire. The null results challenge the findings of previous research in support of physiognomy.

Keywordsphysiognomy; facial; personality; face
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020520406. Sensory processes, perception and performance
520402. Decision making
520105. Psychological methodology, design and analysis
Public Notes

File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author.

Byline AffiliationsDepartment of Psychology
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