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Smiles Behind A Mask Are Detectable And Affect Judgments Of Attractiveness, Trustworthiness, And Competence

Author

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  • Astrid Hopfensitz

    (GATE - Groupe d'analyse et de théorie économique - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - ENS LSH - Ecole Normale Supérieure-Lettres et Sciences Humaines - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, EM - EMLyon Business School)

  • César Mantilla

    (Universidad del Rosario [Bogota])

Abstract

Smiling is a popular and powerful facial signal used to influence how we are judged and evaluated by others. The recent COVID pandemic made the use of face masks common around the world. Since face masks, when properly worn, cover the lower half of the face, a common concern is that they inhibit our ability to signal to others through facial expressions like smiles. In this paper, we show through three subsequent studies that smiling faces are easily distinguished from neutral faces even if the person is wearing a face mask (Study 1, N = 1814). We further show that smiling behind a face mask significantly influences ratings regarding attractiveness, trustworthiness, and competence (Study 2, N = 250). We finally show that individuals with about 18 months of experience with face masks are well aware that smiling behind face masks will influence ratings regarding attractiveness and trustworthiness by others (Study 3, N = 94). Together, our studies provide evidence that face masks should not be seen as a threat that inhibits simple non-verbal communication through smiles.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Astrid Hopfensitz & César Mantilla, 2023. "Smiles Behind A Mask Are Detectable And Affect Judgments Of Attractiveness, Trustworthiness, And Competence," Post-Print hal-04692336, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04692336
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    Cited by:

    1. Eric Cardella & Briggs Depew & Ryan B. Williams, 2024. "Behavioral responses of mandatory masking within social interactions," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 201(1), pages 263-285, October.

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