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
Copyright Status
Unknown
Socpus ID
84940051127 (Scopus)
Source API URL
https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84940051127
STARS Citation
Wang, Ze; He, Xin; and Liu, Fan, "Examining The Effect Of Smile Intensity On Age Perceptions" (2015). Scopus Export 2015-2019. 468.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/scopus2015/468