According to a new study, people can reliably determine if someone is rich or poor simply by looking at their face. This research has far-reaching implications for how we perceive and interact with others based on appearance.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto, found that participants could accurately identify the wealthy and poor individuals from a set of neutral, expressionless faces with an accuracy rate exceeding random chance.¹
Here’s the facial features that people associate wealth with.
The Facial Cues That Give Away Your Economic Class
So, what telltale signs distinguish a “rich face” from a “poor face”? The study revealed that faces perceived as wealthy tended to have more chiseled features, raised eyebrows, and rosy cheeks.
On the other hand, faces deemed as poor were characterized by lowered eyebrows, shorter chins, downturned mouths, and cooler skin tones.
Researchers believe these facial cues result from lifelong habits and experiences that become etched onto our faces over time.
For example, frequent happiness and satisfaction, stereotypically associated with wealth, may contribute to developing certain facial features perceived as indicators of affluence.
The Consequences of Judging Wealth from Faces
The ability to determine someone’s wealth status based on their facial appearance can have significant consequences.
Dr. Thora Bjornsdottir, the study’s lead author, warns that these judgments can perpetuate socioeconomic disparities and create self-fulfilling prophecies.
People perceived as wealthy may be given more opportunities and advantages, while those perceived as poor may face discrimination and limited prospects.
Furthermore, the study found that people tend to use these wealth-based facial judgments in biased ways, such as preferring the “rich faces” over the “poor faces” when making hiring decisions.
This highlights the potential for appearance-based discrimination in various aspects of life, from employment to social interactions.
The Science Behind Our Hardwired Facial Recognition
The human brain is remarkably attuned to recognizing and processing faces. We have specialized neurons dedicated to facial recognition, making it one of the first things we notice when looking at someone.
This innate ability to detect and analyze faces has evolutionary roots, as it helps us navigate social interactions and assess potential threats or allies.
However, the study’s findings suggest that our facial recognition skills may also be influenced by deeply ingrained stereotypes and biases about wealth and social class.
These biases can operate subconsciously, shaping our perceptions and judgments without explicit awareness.
The Future of Wealth-Based Facial Judgments
As the study of social class and its impact on psychology and behavior gains more attention, researchers are eager to further explore the implications of wealth-based facial judgments. Future studies may investigate how these judgments evolve and whether they become more pronounced with age.
Moreover, understanding the mechanisms behind these judgments could help develop interventions to reduce appearance-based discrimination and promote more equitable treatment of individuals regardless of their perceived wealth status.
By raising awareness of our biases and working to counteract them, we can strive towards a society where people are judged by their character and abilities rather than their facial features.
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.