The role of facial cues to body size on attractiveness and perceived leadership ability
Abstract
Facial appearance has a strong effect on leadership selection. Ratings of
perceived leadership ability from facial images have a pronounced influence on
leadership selection in politics, from low-level municipal elections to the federal
elections of the most powerful countries in the world. Furthermore, ratings of leadership
ability from facial images of business leaders correlate with leadership performance as
measured by profits earned.
Two elements of facial appearance that have reliable effects of perceived
leadership ability are perceived dominance and attractiveness. These cues have been
predictive of leadership choices, both experimentally and in the real-world. Chapters 1
and 2 review research on face components that affect perceived dominance and
attractiveness. Chapter 3 discusses how perceived dominance and attractiveness
influence perception of leadership ability.
Two characteristics that affect both perceived dominance and attractiveness are
height and weight. Chapters 4-9 present empirical studies on two recently-discovered
facial parameters: perceived height (how tall someone appears from their face) and
facial adiposity (a reliable proxy of body mass index that influences perceived weight).
Chapters 4 and 5 demonstrate that these facial parameters alter facial attractiveness.
Chapters 6, 7, and 8 examine how perceived height and facial adiposity influence
perceived leadership ability. Chapter 9 examines how perceived height alters leadership
perception in war and peace contexts. Chapter 10 summarises the empirical research
reported in the thesis and draws conclusions from the findings. Chapter 10 also lists
proposals for future research that could further enhance our knowledge of how facial
cues to perceived body size influence democratic leadership selection.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
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