Examining The Effect Of Smile Intensity On Age Perceptions

Abstract

Research has demonstrated the positive effects of smiles on interpersonal perceptions of attractiveness, likability, and friendliness. A possible mechanism underlying the effects of smiles is babyfacedness. Four studies were conducted with 1,235 participants. In Study 1, 646 participants were assigned to one of the six levels of smile intensity and responded to the measures of age perception and perceived babyfacedness. Compared to the neutral expression, the maximal smile reduced age estimations and this effect was mediated by perceived babyfacedness. In Study 2, 59 respondents’ responses indicated that a maximal smile reduced the perception of age. In Study 3, 318 respondents estimated the age of models in different sex and levels of smile intensity. Maximal smiles reduced age estimations. In Study 4, 125 students and 87 non-students were randomly assigned to one of the three levels of smile intensity and provided age estimations. Replicating previous findings, maximal smiles reduced age estimations. Consistent results emerged from the various contexts, models, and samples, as well as in a pooled analysis.

Publication Date

8-1-2015

Publication Title

Psychological Reports

Volume

117

Issue

1

Number of Pages

188-205

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.2466/07.PR0.117c10z7

Socpus ID

84940051127 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84940051127

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