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The relationship between facial structure and personality characteristics
The British Journal of Social Psychology
|September 1, 1981
Summary
This study explored the link between facial structure and personality. Individuals with long, angular faces exhibited more assertive traits, while those with short, square faces appeared more restrained, suggesting a facial-personality connection.
Area of Science:
- Constitutional personality theory
- Person perception
- Emotion
- Orthodontic dentistry
Background:
- Existing research suggests potential links between personality dimensions and facial structure.
- Studies in constitutional personality theory, person perception, and emotion hint at this relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between specific facial structures and personality traits.
- To compare personality profiles of individuals with long, angular faces versus those with short, square faces.
Main Methods:
- Radiographic study to select 40 subjects based on facial structure (20 long/angular, 20 short/square).
- Administration of biographical data sheets and the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (Forms A & B).
Main Results:
- Subjects with long, angular faces were found to be more responsive, assertive, and genuine.
- Subjects with short, square faces were characterized as more restrained, conforming, and shrewd.
Conclusions:
- The study indicates a correlation between facial morphology and personality dimensions.
- Findings were discussed in the context of somatotype literature, genetics, social stereotypes, and developmental factors.
- Further research using EMG and developmental observations is recommended.