They say you can’t judge a book by its cover because appearances are often deceptive and we don’t always get our first impressions of other people right. But the truth is that each of us is inevitably judged by our appearance.
Today we will tell you how facial features can influence the way others see you. Science has shown that the true reflection of our emotions is in the face.
Our brain recognizes facial expressions at an incredible speed and unconsciously decides if we like the person or not. Therefore, if the first impression is what counts, we must be clear that the initial stimulus received comes from the observed face.
Recent studies examining the importance of facial features for success say the more dominant you appear, the more likely you are to be hired as a senior executive.
On the other hand, it seems that the secret of those who seem accessible and trustworthy is the smile; attractive and youthful appearance depends mainly on the size of the eyes; dominance is linked to the masculinity of the shape of the face. In addition, the angle of the face and the tone of the skin also play a prominent role.
In particular, it is believed that there are characteristics that make your face look confident; there is a greater possibility of lending money to someone who seems more trustworthy.
But how do we know what makes a face honest, competent, or dominant? One possibility is that we are simply responding to facial expressions: a good-natured smile or a frown.
When we make a first impression, we react to small differences in the face, from the shape of the eyebrows to the bone structure. The reality is that when you meet someone, you evaluate them spontaneously.
It has been shown that we only need 40 milliseconds to form an impression of someone’s personality. Even 3- and 4-year-olds tend to decide who is “bad” or “good” just by looking at the person’s face.
Whether you’re going to a party, meeting your future in-laws, or attending a job interview, your appearance can decide your fate.
Unlike most prejudices, we are both the victims and the victimizers: we all judge someone unfairly on their appearance, and in return, we are all judged at some point as well.
And that is the truth that must be faced.
Preview photo credit Depositphotos
Based on materials from BBC, Ssociologos
