From Similitude To Success: The Effects Of Facial Resemblance On Perceptions Of Team Effectiveness

Keywords

Face-based inferences; Facial resemblance; First impressions; Team perception

Abstract

Scant empirical research has focused on how impressions of teams are formed based on members' collective appearance, even though team photos are omnipresent in visual communications and teamwork is a common theme to elicit positive responses. Across 4 studies, we show that a subtle increase in the facial resemblance among team members enhances observers' evaluations of team effectiveness. This resemblance effect is mediated by perceived cooperative intent among team players. Furthermore, we demonstrate a reversal of the resemblance effect through the moderating role of information valence and extend the finding from team perception to behavioral intention. These results hold across different manipulations, contexts, stimuli, and sample characteristics. Collectively, this research presents the first empirical evidence that inferences based on facial morphology persist well beyond evaluations of individuals to influence the way a team, as a whole, is perceived.

Publication Date

3-1-2016

Publication Title

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied

Volume

22

Issue

1

Number of Pages

48-58

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1037/xap0000068

Socpus ID

84953924376 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84953924376

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