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Facial feedback effects on impression formation
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Facial expressions influence social cognition, with displayed emotions shaping impressions of others. However, concealing expressions did not affect impression formation, and negative expressions had a stronger impact than positive ones.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Nonverbal Communication
Background:
- Facial expressions are crucial in social interactions.
- Understanding how facial feedback influences social cognition is important.
- Previous research has explored facial feedback, but its impact on impression formation requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of displaying and concealing facial expressions on social cognitive processes.
- To examine how facial feedback influences the formation of impressions of others.
- To explore potential asymmetries in facial feedback effects.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted with 30 female college students each.
- Participants were induced to display or conceal facial expressions.
- Facial expressions were reactions to hypothetical target persons exhibiting mildly hostile or friendly behaviors.
Main Results:
- Displaying facial expressions shifted impressions congruently with the expression's hedonic value.
- Concealing facial expressions did not significantly influence impression formation.
- A positive-negative asymmetry was observed, with negative facial expressions having a stronger impact on social cognition.
Conclusions:
- Facial feedback, specifically the display of expressions, plays a role in social impression formation.
- The act of concealing emotions may mitigate their influence on social cognition.
- Negative facial expressions exert a more potent influence on social cognition than positive ones.