Face Masks Bolsters the Characteristics From Looking at a Face Even When Facial Expressions Are Impaired.

ABSTRACT: Face masks impact social interactions because emotion recognition is difficult due to face occlusion. However, is this enough to conclude that face masks negatively impact social interactions? We investigated the impact of face masks on invariant characteristics (sex, age), trait-like characteristics (trustworthiness, attractiveness, and approachability), and emotional expressions (happiness and excitability). Participants completed an online survey and rated masked and no-masked faces. The same face remained masked or no-masked throughout the survey. Results revealed that, when compared to no-masked faces, masked happy faces appeared less happy. Face masks did not negatively impact the ratings of other characteristics. Participants were better at judging the sex of masked faces. Masked fa

SUBMITTER: Lau WK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8702500 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature