Judgments of dominance from the face track physical strength

Evol Psychol. 2014;12(1):1-18. doi: 10.1556/jep.12.2014.1.1.

Abstract

It is commonly assumed that judgments of dominance from faces partly rely on implicit judgments of bodily strength. In two studies, we demonstrate such a relation for both computer-generated and natural photos of male faces. We find support when aggregating data across participants, when analyzing with hierarchical models, and also when strength and dominance are judged by different raters. Moreover, we identify common predictors that underlie perceptions of both strength and dominance: brow height, eye length, chin length, and the widths of the nose and mouth.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Computer Simulation
  • Face / anatomy & histology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Judgment*
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multilevel Analysis
  • Muscle Strength / physiology*
  • Physical Fitness / physiology
  • Physical Fitness / psychology
  • Social Dominance*
  • Social Perception*
  • Young Adult