Social Perception of Illusory Faces: Effects of Width-to-Height Ratio, Chin Shape, and Eye–Mouth Distance

TL;DR

This study explores how the shape of illusory faces influences people's perceptions of traits like attractiveness and trustworthiness.

Contribution

The study experimentally examines how specific facial features affect social perception in illusory faces, which had not been well studied before.

Findings

High width-to-height ratios increased attractiveness for female participants but not for male participants.

Round chins enhanced perceptions of masculinity, cuteness, attractiveness, and trustworthiness.

Eye–mouth distance influenced emotional perception of illusory faces.

Abstract

While real face features are known to influence social evaluations, the social perception of illusory faces remains largely unexplored despite neural similarities to real faces. This study aimed to fill this gap by manipulating the width-to-height ratio, chin shape, and eye–mouth distance of illusory faces and assessing their effects on perceived gender, cuteness, trustworthiness, dominance, attractiveness, and emotion. Key findings include the following: (1) high width-to-height ratios significantly boosted attractiveness for female participants but not for male participants; (2) round chins consistently enhanced perceptions of masculinity, cuteness, attractiveness, and trustworthiness; (3) eye–mouth distance was found to affect emotional perception. This research offers crucial experimental insights into the determinants of social evaluations for illusory faces.

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