Faces and first impressions
Rob
And I'm Rob. Today we're talking about first impressions – and how they're often wrong.
And I'm Rob. Today we're talking about first impressions – and how they're often wrong.
Neil
So let's start with the term first impression – it's the idea or opinion you have about someone after meeting them for only a short time.
So let's start with the term first impression – it's the idea or opinion you have about someone after meeting them for only a short time.
Rob
It's very natural to make a quick judgement about someone based on their appearance or facial expression.
It's very natural to make a quick judgement about someone based on their appearance or facial expression.
Neil
We're going to be hearing about the research of Professor Alexander Todorov from Princeton University in the US. First, a question: how long does he say it takes to form an impression about someone's face? Is it...
We're going to be hearing about the research of Professor Alexander Todorov from Princeton University in the US. First, a question: how long does he say it takes to form an impression about someone's face? Is it...
a) under one second
b) one second
c) six seconds
Rob
I'll go for b) one second.
I'll go for b) one second.
Neil
Well, we'll find out if you're right or not at the end of the programme.
Well, we'll find out if you're right or not at the end of the programme.
Rob
So – Alexander Todorov has been researching our impressions. His tests asked people to decide whether they thought faces were dominant, competent, trustworthy or extroverted.
So – Alexander Todorov has been researching our impressions. His tests asked people to decide whether they thought faces were dominant, competent, trustworthy or extroverted.
Neil
Let's just look at those words for a second. Dominant means being strongest or most important. Competent means being able to do things.
Let's just look at those words for a second. Dominant means being strongest or most important. Competent means being able to do things.
Rob
While if you're trustworthy it means people trust you – you are worth their trust. And being extroverted means you are energetic and enjoy spending time with others.
While if you're trustworthy it means people trust you – you are worth their trust. And being extroverted means you are energetic and enjoy spending time with others.
Neil
So what did he find out? Faces that look happy and feminine – like a woman - were rated as more trustworthy.
So what did he find out? Faces that look happy and feminine – like a woman - were rated as more trustworthy.
Rob
While faces that were more masculine – like a man – were seen as more dominant.
While faces that were more masculine – like a man – were seen as more dominant.
Neil
Wider faces with big eyes were seen as more extroverted.
Wider faces with big eyes were seen as more extroverted.
Rob
Now the important thing that Todorov says is that these judgements aren't accurate. Someone who looks competent isn't necessarily competent!
Now the important thing that Todorov says is that these judgements aren't accurate. Someone who looks competent isn't necessarily competent!
Neil
So, what does this mean in practice? Here's Professor Todorov:
So, what does this mean in practice? Here's Professor Todorov:
Professor Alexander Todorov, Princeton University:
Trustworthiness, dominance and attractiveness are the three big things that we form impressions of people. But interestingly we have done some work predicting the electoral success of politicians, and the judgement that is most predictive of who is going to win the election is perceived competence. And this is not random at all, because if you ask voters what is the most important attribute of a politician, competence is the one on the top.
Trustworthiness, dominance and attractiveness are the three big things that we form impressions of people. But interestingly we have done some work predicting the electoral success of politicians, and the judgement that is most predictive of who is going to win the election is perceived competence. And this is not random at all, because if you ask voters what is the most important attribute of a politician, competence is the one on the top.
Neil
OK, so this is actually quite significant. People say that the most important attribute – or quality – for a politician is competence – the ability to do things.
OK, so this is actually quite significant. People say that the most important attribute – or quality – for a politician is competence – the ability to do things.
Rob
That sounds fair enough. But because we make judgements based on appearance – this can actually affect how people vote.
That sounds fair enough. But because we make judgements based on appearance – this can actually affect how people vote.
Neil
If voters believe – or perceive someone to be competent – they're more likely to vote for him or her.
If voters believe – or perceive someone to be competent – they're more likely to vote for him or her.
Rob
He says this applies especially to people who are less educated about politics – they are more likely to be influenced by appearance.
He says this applies especially to people who are less educated about politics – they are more likely to be influenced by appearance.
Neil
He says this applies to around 25% of voters – so the number of people who go with their gut is large enough to influence the outcomes of elections!
He says this applies to around 25% of voters – so the number of people who go with their gut is large enough to influence the outcomes of elections!
Rob
Wow. To go with your gut. That means to make a decision which isn't based on rational thought – it's based on instinct, on a feeling, on your gut.
Wow. To go with your gut. That means to make a decision which isn't based on rational thought – it's based on instinct, on a feeling, on your gut.
Neil
Yes – your gut is your stomach and the organs in your belly. So, can we tell nothing from a person's face?
Yes – your gut is your stomach and the organs in your belly. So, can we tell nothing from a person's face?
Rob
Todorov says faces carry useful information about things like a person's mental state, and whether they're tired or sick. But they don't tell you about a person's character.
Todorov says faces carry useful information about things like a person's mental state, and whether they're tired or sick. But they don't tell you about a person's character.
Neil
Indeed. It's not only elections where this counts, we also judge during job interviews and meetings.
Indeed. It's not only elections where this counts, we also judge during job interviews and meetings.
Rob
So what can we do to minimise the chances of being affected – should we just close our eyes when we meet people?
So what can we do to minimise the chances of being affected – should we just close our eyes when we meet people?
Neil
Well, it's not such a bad idea! There's the example of the Boston Symphony Orchestra – back in the 1950s it was entirely made up of male musicians. They then introduced 'blind auditions' in other words they listened to new musicians without looking at them.
Well, it's not such a bad idea! There's the example of the Boston Symphony Orchestra – back in the 1950s it was entirely made up of male musicians. They then introduced 'blind auditions' in other words they listened to new musicians without looking at them.
Rob
And what happened – I guess many more women were selected?
And what happened – I guess many more women were selected?
Neil
Exactly – around 50%. Of course, gender and race are also huge factors in how we perceive faces. Todorov says we tend to react most positively to faces that look like our own.
Exactly – around 50%. Of course, gender and race are also huge factors in how we perceive faces. Todorov says we tend to react most positively to faces that look like our own.
Rob
Right, well – I guess we just need to take a deep breath and try not to judge too much.
Right, well – I guess we just need to take a deep breath and try not to judge too much.
Neil
Easier said than done, I'm afraid. Especially when we judge so quickly! But do we do it in under a second, one second or six seconds?
Easier said than done, I'm afraid. Especially when we judge so quickly! But do we do it in under a second, one second or six seconds?
Rob
I said one second.
I said one second.
Neil
According to Todorov it takes under one second.
According to Todorov it takes under one second.
Rob
I think it's safe to say it's very fast.
I think it's safe to say it's very fast.
Vocabulary
first impression
the idea or opinion of someone or something you make after a very short time
the idea or opinion of someone or something you make after a very short time
trustworthy
able to be trusted
able to be trusted
extroverted
(of a person) happy and enjoying being with others
(of a person) happy and enjoying being with others
attributes
qualities
qualities
perception
opinion based on how things appear
opinion based on how things appear
to go with your gut
make a decision based on feelings
make a decision based on feelings
copied from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-170629
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