A new study has revealed that the shape of your face can influence people's perceptions of your wealth and financial status. The research found that wealthy individuals have narrow and friendly faces. Conversely, researchers at the University of Glasgow claim that poor individuals appear gloomy and incompetent. The research team analyzed snap judgments that people make about one another and discovered that faces perceived as "rich" are also seen as more trustworthy, featuring smiling mouths, sculpted features, raised eyebrows, close-set eyes, and rosy cheeks.
Meanwhile, faces viewed as "poor" have lower eyebrows, shorter chins, downward-facing mouths, and darker, colder skin tones, making them appear untrustworthy, cold, and incompetent. The study focused on what makes a person look like they belong to a higher or lower social class, and how these traits are tied to personal perceptions.
Dr. Thora Bjornsdottir, the lead author of the study, noted that snap judgments based solely on appearance can have long-term consequences for individuals. She stated, "The stereotypes we hold bias our perceptions; our impressions of others can lead to certain advantages or disadvantages for them."
The researchers found that faces considered unattractive were more "childlike," with round features reminiscent of a child's face. These characteristics may be associated with poor physical fitness, lower intelligence, or a submissive personality. In contrast, "rich" faces were taller and more defined, with prominent noses, upturned mouths, and high foreheads.
