Can you predict a person's social class from their appearance?

Facial features reveal that they influence people's perceptions and reinforce stereotypes Stady From the University of Glasgow, Scotland, published on January 25.

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Participants had to analyze 3D images of the robot and make judgments and assumptions about the observed faces.

“The findings reveal a unique constellation of facial features that underlie social class judgments. Faces perceived as poor have certain characteristics, such as wider, shorter and flatter features, with an upturned mouth and darker, cooler skin,” the research paper states.

The study group consisted of thirty white, English-speaking young adults, with an average age of 22 years.

Faces that are perceived as “poor” are also viewed as incompetent, cold, and untrustworthy.

Conversely, faces associated with wealth were viewed as competent, warm, and trustworthy.

These faces had narrower, rectangular features, somewhat pale, warm skin and showed a smiling expression.

According to one of the authors of the research, Dr. R. Thora Björnsdóttir, “People classified as belonging to a particular social class are often judged positively or negatively.”

“The results suggest that social class stereotypes explain the relationship between facial appearance and individuals' social class judgments. This highlights that the stereotypes we have have consequences for the way we view others: they bias our perceptions. Our impressions of others can lead to This indicates certain advantages or disadvantages for them.