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Economic status cues from clothes affect perceived competence from faces

Author

Listed:
  • DongWon Oh

    (New York University)

  • Eldar Shafir

    (Princeton University
    Princeton University)

  • Alexander Todorov

    (Princeton University)

Abstract

Impressions of competence from faces predict important real-world outcomes, including electoral success and chief executive officer selection. Presumed competence is associated with social status. Here we show that subtle economic status cues in clothes affect perceived competence from faces. In nine studies, people rated the competence of faces presented in frontal headshots. Faces were shown with different upper-body clothing rated by independent judges as looking ‘richer’ or ‘poorer’, although not notably perceived as such when explicitly described. The same face when seen with ‘richer’ clothes was judged significantly more competent than with ‘poorer’ clothes. The effect persisted even when perceivers were exposed to the stimuli briefly (129 ms), warned that clothing cues are non-informative and instructed to ignore the clothes (in one study, with considerable incentives). These findings demonstrate the uncontrollable effect of economic status cues on person perception. They add yet another hurdle to the challenges faced by low-status individuals.

Suggested Citation

  • DongWon Oh & Eldar Shafir & Alexander Todorov, 2020. "Economic status cues from clothes affect perceived competence from faces," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(3), pages 287-293, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:4:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1038_s41562-019-0782-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-019-0782-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Potrafke, Niklas & Rösch, Marcus & Ursprung, Heinrich, 2020. "Election systems, the “beauty premium” in politics, and the beauty of dissent," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    2. Kristin Lee Sotak & Andra Serban & Barry A. Friedman & Michael Palanski, 2024. "Perceptions of Ethicality: The Role of Attire Style, Attire Appropriateness, and Context," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 189(1), pages 149-175, January.

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