Eggleston, Adam ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4123-3225, Geangu, Elena, Tipper, Steven Paul, Cook, Richard and Over, Harriet (2021) Young children learn first impressions of faces through social referencing. Scientific Reports, 11 (14744).

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Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated that the tendency to form first impressions from facial appearance emerges early in development. We examined whether social referencing is one route through which these consistent first impressions are acquired. In Study 1, we show that 5- to 7-year-old children are more likely to choose a target face previously associated with positive non-verbal signals as more trustworthy than a face previously associated with negative non-verbal signals. In Study 2, we show that children generalise this learning to novel faces who resemble those who have previously been the recipients of positive non-verbal behaviour. Taken together, these data show one means through which individuals within a community could acquire consistent, and potentially inaccurate, first impressions of others faces. In doing so, they highlight a route through which cultural transmission of first impressions can occur.

Item Type:	Article
Status:	Published
DOI:	10.1038/s41598-021-94204-6
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF712-724.85 Developmental psychology
School/Department:	School of Education, Language and Psychology
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/10453

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