"Facial Features and Social Class Perceptions: New Study Findings"

A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General reveals that specific facial features are linked to perceptions of social class. Wider, shorter, and flatter faces with downturned mouths and cooler, darker complexions are associated with lower social class, while narrower, longer, and more protruding faces with upturned mouths and lighter, warmer skin tones are attributed to higher social class. These perceptions closely mirror judgments of social traits such as competence and trustworthiness. The study emphasizes the subjective nature of social class perception and the influence of stereotypes on these judgments, and suggests that future research could explore these dynamics across different cultures and ethnicities.