Are effects of emotion expression on trait impressions mediated by babyfaceness? Evidence from connectionist modeling

Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2007 May;33(5):648-62. doi: 10.1177/0146167206297399. Epub 2007 Apr 17.

Abstract

Two studies provided evidence that bolsters the Marsh, Adams, and Kleck hypothesis that the morphology of certain emotion expressions reflects an evolved adaptation to mimic babies or mature adults. Study 1 found differences in emotion expressions' resemblance to babies using objective indices of babyfaceness provided by connectionist models that are impervious to overlapping cultural stereotypes about babies and the emotions. Study 2 not only replicated parallels between impressions of certain emotions and babies versus adults but also showed that objective indices of babyfaceness partially mediated impressions of the emotion expressions. babyface effects were independent of strong effects of attractiveness, and babyfaceness did not mediate impressions of happy expressions, to which the evolutionary hypothesis would not apply.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Beauty
  • Computer Simulation
  • Emotions*
  • Face / physiology*
  • Facial Expression*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Social Desirability
  • Social Perception*