Social Perception of Female Faces: How Do We Judge High Versus Low Ancestral Productivity?

Authors: Carver Fell, Adar Eisenbruch, Chris Idone, Sarah Murphy

SUNY Campus: Purchase College

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: UU 111

Presentation #: 65

Timeslot: Session B 10:15-11:15 AM

Abstract: Humans make rich personality inferences from faces, even after brief exposure, that affect multiple real-world decisions (e.g. hiring, elections). The ability to form cooperative relationships with skilled hunter-gatherers was likely favored by natural selection over our species’ evolutionary history, so humans have likely evolved social preferences for individuals perceived as high in “ancestral productivity” (i.e. the ability to accumulate resources as a hunter-gatherer). In fact, prior research has shown that perceptions of a person’s ancestral productivity are somewhat accurate for male faces and are correlated with generosity towards them, the desire to be friends with them, and perceptions of other traits (e.g. dominance). In this study, we manipulated female faces to appear higher or lower in ancestral productivity, and then used a forced-choice paradigm to test the effect of cues of ancestral productivity on perceptions of competence, dominance, trustworthiness, physical attractiveness, and friend desirability. We predict that faces depicting high ancestral productivity will be chosen as more competent and dominant, but less trustworthy, compared to low-productivity faces; the existing research is ambiguous on whether ancestral productivity will increase or decrease women’s friend desirability and attractiveness. Data collection is ongoing. We will discuss implications for research on social perception and preferences.