Facial symmetry is positively associated with self-reported extraversion

Nicholas Pound, Ian S. Penton-Voak, William M. Brown

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

51 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Fink et al. (2005) reported significant associations between facial symmetry and scores on some of the "big five" personality dimensions derived from self-report data. In particular, they identified a positive association between facial symmetry and extraversion, but negative associations between facial symmetry and both agreeableness and openness. Fink et al. (2005) used a measure of facial symmetry based on analysis of the central region of each face. In the present study we attempted to replicate these findings with a much larger sample (N = 294) and using a landmark-based measure of facial symmetry that includes peripheral regions of the face. In both sexes, we found a significant positive association between self-reported extraversion and facial symmetry but were unable to replicate any of the other previously reported associations. Nevertheless, the positive association between symmetry and extraversion provides further support for the idea that facial appearance could predict personality and therefore makes it possible for some personality attributions to be "data driven", i.e. driven by properties of the target. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1572-1582
Number of pages11
JournalPersonality and Individual Differences
Volume43
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2007

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