# Conceptual trait associations predict impressions of highly variable faces

## TL;DR

This study shows that people's beliefs about traits influence their impressions of faces, even when faces vary widely and across cultures.

## Contribution

Demonstrates that conceptual trait associations predict face impressions in diverse, naturalistic contexts and across cultures.

## Key findings

- Conceptual trait associations predict face impressions in British perceivers using everyday faces.
- Similar predictions occur in British and Chinese perceivers for White and Asian faces.
- Individuals' trait associations predict their own face impressions consistently.

## Abstract

People form consequential trait judgements from seeing others' faces. The influential dynamic interactive theory suggests that trait judgements reflect the combined use of visual cues from faces (e.g. smiling looks trustworthy) with individuals' own conceptual trait associations (e.g. believing trustworthy people are also kind), thus far supported for impressions of highly constricted neutral faces in the US cultural context. Here, we provide a stringent new test of the dynamic interactive theory by examining whether conceptual trait associations predict impressions of highly variable everyday faces, within and across cultures and individuals. Study 1 shows that conceptual trait associations predict impressions of highly variable everyday faces in British perceivers. Study 2 demonstrates that British and Chinese perceivers' conceptual trait associations (expressed in English and Mandarin, respectively) predict impressions of highly variable White and Asian faces similarly. Study 3 finds that individuals' conceptual trait associations predict their impressions of highly variable face images. Together, we show for the first time that conceptual trait associations predict impressions even when faces provide rich visual cues and extend this understanding beyond Western perceivers, faces and languages. Our findings thus offer independent support for dynamic interactive theory in naturalistic impressions across cultures.