The function of a face on person perception

The effect of the number of targets and degree of facial attractiveness

Abstract

The present study investigated how the influence and the function of a face on person perception might vary with the number of targets (one, two or four) and the degree of facial attractiveness (positive or negative). One hundred sixty-seven female undergraduates were tested. After studying behavioral descriptions and photographs of targets, each subject was asked to form impressions and recall the descriptions of the targets. The main results were as follows. (a) A face became more influential as the number of targets increased. (b) A positive face exerted greater influence than a nagative face. (c) The effet of the number of targets was greater for nagative faces.