Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1893/10851
Appears in Collections:Psychology Journal Articles
Peer Review Status: Refereed
Title: The perception of attractiveness and trustworthiness in male faces affects hypothetical voting decisions differently in wartime and peacetime scenarios
Author(s): Little, Anthony
Roberts, S Craig
Jones, Benedict C
DeBruine, Lisa M
Contact Email: craig.roberts@stir.ac.uk
Keywords: Social cognition
Elections
Leadership
Vote
War/peace
Attractiveness
Trustworthiness
Face Social aspects
Physiognomy
Issue Date: Oct-2012
Date Deposited: 4-Feb-2013
Citation: Little A, Roberts SC, Jones BC & DeBruine LM (2012) The perception of attractiveness and trustworthiness in male faces affects hypothetical voting decisions differently in wartime and peacetime scenarios. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 65 (10), pp. 2018-2032. https://doi.org/10.1080/17470218.2012.677048
Abstract: Facial appearance of candidates has been linked to real election outcomes. Here we extend these findings by examining the contributions of attractiveness and trustworthiness in male faces to perceived votability. We first use real faces to show that attractiveness and trustworthiness are positively and independently related to perceptions of good leadership (rating study). We then show that computer graphic manipulations of attractiveness and trustworthiness influence choice of leader (Experiments 1 and 2). Finally, we show that changing context from wartime to peacetime can affect which face receives the most votes. Attractive faces were relatively more valued for wartime and trustworthy faces relatively more valued for peacetime (Experiments 1 and 2). This pattern suggests that attractiveness, which may indicate health and fitness, is perceived to be a useful attribute in wartime leaders, whereas trustworthiness, which may indicate prosocial traits, is perceived to be more important during peacetime. Our studies highlight the possible role of facial appearance in voting behaviour and the role of attributions of attractiveness and trust. We also show that there may be no general characteristics of faces that make them perceived as the best choice of leader; leaders may be chosen because of characteristics that are perceived as the best for leaders to possess in particular situations.
DOI Link: 10.1080/17470218.2012.677048
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