Smiling emphasizes perceived distinctiveness of faces.
In this study, 114 Japanese observers (56 men and 58 women) rated the distinctiveness of 48 neutral faces and 48 smiling faces. Analysis showed smiling faces were rated as significantly more distinctive than neutral ones. Greater perceived distinctiveness provides an explanation for previous results that smiling faces are better remembered than faces with neutral expressions.
Kawamura
Satoru
S
Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, 1-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. satoru@hus.osaka-u.ac.jp
Komori
Masashi
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004644:Emotions; D005145:Face; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D005556:Form Perception; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011930:Reaction Time; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D012904:Smiling; D014796:Visual Perception