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Once Upon a Face: the Effect of Eye Size, Observer and Stimulus Gender on Impression Formation
Abstract and Figures
t Initial attraction is one of several factors that influence the ability to form an 13
impression. Attraction is related to physical beauty, implying that we all tend to 14
evaluate attractiveness based on the same characteristics. Adults with larger eyes are 15
perceived as more attractive and receive more positive evaluations. Our purpose was to 16
examine whether eye size would influence warmth and competence because the 17
stereotype content model differs in predictions of attraction. We further analyzed the 18
effect of the observer and stimulus gender on the assessment of warmth and compe- 19
tence. To this end, we tested 360 participants in an experimental visual task, according 20
to a 3 (eye size: small vs. medium vs. large)×2 (stimulus gender: female vs. male)×2 21
(observer gender: female vs. male) factorial design. Our results lend support to the idea 22
that larger eyes lead to more positive perceptions of warmth and competence. However, 23
only the warmth dimension is affected by the observer and stimulus gender. The results 24
are discussed in light of current research in the field of social cognition.
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... Previous studies have mentioned some potential factors which influence the interpretation of expressive behaviors in EFL classrooms including learners' age, proficiency in the target language, nativeness, and years of learning the language (Kamiya, 2019). Gender is also a factor which has been mentioned to be effective in FI formation (Carney et al., 2007;Gonçalves et al., 2014), but its effect on FI formation in the language classroom has not been investigated so far. This is the factor which is considered in this section along with the other factors. ...
The present study aimed to explore English as a foreign language (EFL) learners' first impressions of their language teachers. The participants were 679 male and female Iranian EFL learners from different age groups and English language proficiency levels at five language institutes and four universities. The main data collection instrument was a validated 47-item questionnaire. The findings showed that at the end of the semester, EFL learners' first impressions of their language teacher, formed based on short observations of thin slices of behavior (less than five minutes), did not change significantly. The results also indicated that there were significant differences in the extent of first impression changed between male and female participants and different language proficiency levels (low- and high-proficiency). Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference between different age groups (teenagers and adults) in terms of the extent of first impression change. The pedagogical implications of the findings regarding the impacts of language learners' thin-slice judgments of the teachers' success in EFL contexts are discussed.
... The virtual agent is designed as an image of a female expert giving professional instruction which is based on the principle of expertise, similarity, trustworthiness, and attractiveness. A female character agent was used because of the soft affection, impression and attractiveness that the female image possesses especially on children [42], [43]. Figure 6 shows the interface of Dr Clean. ...
span>A persuasive agent makes use of persuasion attributions to ensure that its predefined objective(s) is achieved within its immediate environment. This is made possible based on the five unique features namely sociable, persuasive, autonomy, reactive, and proactive natures. However, there are limited successes recorded within the behavioural intervention and psychological reactance is responsible for these failures. Psychological reactance is the stage where rejection, negative response and frustration are felt by the users of the persuasive system. Thus, this study proposes a persuasive agent (PAT) architecture that limits the experience of psychological reactance to achieve an improved behavioural intervention. PAT architecture adopted the combination of the reactance model for behavior change and the persuasive design principle. The architecture is evaluated by conducting an experimental study using a user-centred approach. The evaluation reflected that there is a reduction in the number of users who experienced psychological reactance from 70 per cent to 3 per cent. The result is a better improvement compared with previous outcomes. The contribution made in this study would provide a design model and a steplike approach to software designers on how to limit the effect of psychological reactance on persuasive system applications and interventions.</span
... It is difficult to understand why gender seemed to impact several self-perception dimensions in this context. Previous research on face perception highlighted that an effect of eye size alteration was only significant for female participants [7], which is in line with our results and may suggest that women are more sensitive to change in their eyes. The fact that women are more used to Snapchat filters than men (in 2021, the percentage of women using SnapChat worldwide is of 57,4% and for 40,9% of men 5 ) may have impacted the way they perceive themselves through them. ...
... Even the judgment of the big five personality traits can be influenced by the facial [16]. These findings show that the outer appearance has an enormous impact on how other people react to a persons [1,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Impression formation also has a role in psychiatry and psychotherapy. ...
Background/Aims: Persons elicit emotional reactions in their vis-à-vis within a split-second, resulting in far reaching judgements. This is called first impression formation. It has been shown that respective judgements show high reliability. Data are needed on the validity. In this study we wanted to test, if it is possible to predict by first impression formation how a person feels and whether he or she has problems in life. Method: We invited a convenience sample of 102 train passengers to answer a short self-rating questionnaire on their present well-being and problems in life. Additionally, a researcher recorded her first impression of the passenger by using the MED scale. The researcher did not know the other person before. Results: Judgements on the impression of participants were unrelated to their present well-being. There were relations between a kind and friendly first impression formation and work-related problems and capacity restrictions in contrast to participants with a self-assured and over-confident appearance, who reported less problems with their abilities and the workplace. A friendly first impression formation was significantly more pronounced in females. Conclusion: Results suggest that first impression formation reflects not so much the present subjective inner status of the person but to some degree his or her personality and adjustment in life. This suggests that impression formation may be a factor which has a direct impact on coping with life, as persons communicate with others by their non-verbal behavior.
... While there was no significant difference between male participants in judging a target with or without glasses, female participants identified more differences between the control and the target with glasses, generally rating the male target more positively when wearing glasses. These findings support other studies that demonstrate a relationship between gender of the stimulus/target person, gender of the observer/participant and impression formation (e.g., Gonçalves et al. 2015;Hack 2014;Harris 1991), specifically that females are more efficient in attribute perception and more likely to report positive impressions of others. ...
The purpose of this study was to examine impressions of persons wearing hearing aids (HA) and glasses. A survey consisting of impression formation measures was administered to 569 participants. Factor analysis and a series of T-tests were used to examine the effect of wearing glasses and hearing aids on first impressions. T-tests indicated significant differences between the control and glasses style for both the male and female model. Male and female control models (without glasses) were rated more positively. Another series of t-tests between hearing aid styles and the control indicated significant differences for the heavier, more visible hearing aid with the control model being rated higher on every factor except “reliable”. There were almost no significant differences between the control and the light, less visible hearing aid for either the male or the female. Correlations among traits differ as a function of both stimulus person and relevance of trait. Data indicates that different types of hearing aids stimulate varying impressions. The findings have implications for advising potential HA users who are disinclined to wear a device for cosmetic reasons. Findings support other literature on impression formation and the hearing aid effect. However, the findings are encouraging, as hearing aid use has historically been associated with an impression of lower cognitive function, yet participants did not indicate a significant perceptual difference between the hearing aid user and the control, possibly indicating stronger social acceptance.
... Human beings tend to think in stereotypes as a way of categorising people they meet. This is a cognitive process that runs automatically and unconsciously (Gonçalves et al., 2014). ...
Customers find themselves in a flood of information and testimonials are one way of gaining the customer’s attention. Previous studies have shown the positive effects of testimonials on purchase intentions. In this present study, different types of testimonials (celebrity and expert) are tested, and the fit between the product (ring, motorcycle and in/out-trays) congruency of the testimonial with the customer’s image is introduced and analysed. Furthermore, not only is source credibility measured, but source attractiveness and expertise are also measured and combined in a new model integrating these three theories. The model shows direct and indirect effects of credibility and congruency on attitudes and purchase intentions. Product fit, in contrast to congruency, has a positive effect on attitude towards the ad and in turn influences attitude towards the brand, affecting purchase intention. Credible testimonials strongly influence this effectiveness, with trustworthiness being a main driver.
Purpose
This study aims to examine how young consumers perceive the advertising effectiveness of endorsements by virtual idols and how endorsements by virtual idols differ from endorsements by real human celebrities such as traditional celebrities and online influencers.
Design/methodology/approach
An experimental study was conducted with 400 randomly selected young respondents in China in December 2022. A 3 × 2 factorial design was used to test how the type of celebrity endorser and level of product involvement influence the persuasiveness of advertising aimed at young adults. Among 400 respondents, the average age was 21.5 years. A total of 193 male and 207 female respondents participated in the experiment.
Findings
Young consumers find virtual idols, online influencers and traditional celebrities attractive. Although virtual idols are the least credible among the three types of celebrity endorsers, young consumers tend to be more convinced by their endorsements of products with low levels of consumer involvement than those with high levels of involvement. Among the three types of celebrity endorsements, young consumers find traditional celebrities the most effective. In addition, young consumers’ attitudes toward celebrity endorsers mediate the impact of celebrity endorsers’ attractiveness and credibility on their attitudes toward the advertisements. The perceived level of product involvement moderates the transfer of meaning from the attitude toward the celebrity endorsers to the attitude toward the advertisement.
Practical implications
First, when choosing celebrity endorsers to advertise products targeting young consumers, marketing communication practitioners should give priority to the endorsers’ perceived credibility, as young consumers have a variety of views about them that can significantly affect their attitudes toward the advertisement. Second, real human celebrity endorsers are more effective than virtual idols in celebrity endorsements. However, virtual idols may be suited for use in advertisements to promote products with low involvement levels, such as soft drinks.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first experimental study to attempt to analyze the effectiveness of virtual idols in advertising aimed at young consumers. This is also the first comparative study to introduce virtual idols as celebrity endorsers in product advertising and to compare their effectiveness with that of the two other types of commonly discussed celebrity endorsers, traditional celebrities and online influencers.
Social media influencers (SMI) have gained undeniable importance as brands endorsers. However, although their credibility can be affected by the way they look, no known studies have applied appearance stereotypes to SMI's perceived attractiveness, trustworthiness, and expertise, particularly when that appearance is unconventional (e.g., use of body tattoos). Therefore, building on extant endorsement research and the Stereotype Content Model (SCM), the study examines how the use of tattoos impacts SMI’s credibility, attractiveness, and effectiveness. Based on a sample of 260 young adults, a 2 x 2 x 2 (SMI gender x tattoo x domain) experimental design was conducted. Results indicate a tattoo premium effect, regardless of SMI’s domain. By extending the SCM framework to the influencer marketing literature, this study contributes to both research fields, while providing valuable insights to brands and SMI.
Stereotype research emphasizes systematic processes over seemingly arbitrary contents, but content also may prove systematic. On the basis of stereotypes' intergroup functions, the stereotype content model hypothesizes that (a) 2 primary dimensions are competence and warmth, (b) frequent mixed clusters combine high warmth with low competence (paternalistic) or high competence with low warmth (envious), and (c) distinct emotions (pity, envy, admiration, contempt) differentiate the 4 competence-warmth combinations. Stereotypically, (d) status predicts high competence, and competition predicts low warmth. Nine varied samples rated gender, ethnicity, race, class, age, and disability out-groups. Contrary to antipathy models, 2 dimensions mattered, and many stereotypes were mixed, either pitying (low competence, high warmth subordinates) or envying (high competence, low warmth competitors). Stereotypically, status predicted competence, and competition predicted low warmth.
This chapter presents an integrated understanding of various impression formation processes. The chapter introduces a model of impression formation that integrates social cognition research on stereotyping with traditional research on person perception. According to this model, people form impressions of others through a variety of processes that lie on a continuum reflecting the extent to that the perceiver utilizes a target's particular attributes. The continuum implies that the distinctions among these processes are matters of degree, rather than discrete shifts. The chapter examines the evidence for the five main premises of the model, it is helpful to discuss some related models that raise issues for additional consideration. The chapter discusses the research that supports each of the five basic premises, competing models, and hypotheses for further research. The chapter concludes that one of the model's fundamental purposes is to integrate diverse perspectives on impression formation, as indicated by the opening quotation. It is also designed to generate predictions about basic impression formation processes and to help generate interventions that can reduce the impact of stereotypes on impression formation.
The study reports a factor analytic investigation of the interpersonal attraction construct. Two‐hundred and fifteen subjects completed 30 Likert‐type, seven‐step scales concerning an acquaintance. Factor analysis indicated three dimensions of the interpersonal attraction construct which were labeled “task” “social” and “physical.” The results of this study and four replications suggest that the resulting 15‐item instrument can be expected to measure reliably three dimensions of interpersonal attraction.