Challenging physiognomy: questioning the idea that facial characteristics are indicative of personality

Abstract

[Abstract]: Physiognomy; the idea that facial characteristics are indicative of personality has persisted within the science of psychology despite some questionable supporting evidence. Indeed the idea is not unreasonable if certain premise can be supported. The aim of this research was to test three related premise in order to ascertain whether people could accurately judge the personality of a stranger from only a superficial exposure. An experiment was devised which exposed participants to one of eight video clips. The video clips were all of the same person but varied in duration, whether the eyes were visible, and whether the person was talking. One hundred and forty participants took part in the study. After watching one of the video clips each participant was asked to assess the personality of the person in the video using a standard personality questionnaire. The null results challenge the findings of previous research in support of physiognomy.