Facial expression modifies female body perception

Abstract

The judgment of female body appearance has been reported to be affected by a range of internal (e.g., viewers’ sexual cognition) and external factors (e.g., viewed clothing type and colour). This eye-tracking study aimed to complement previous research by examining the effect of facial expression on female body perception and associated body-viewing gaze behaviour. We presented female body images of Caucasian avatars in a continuum of common dress sizes posing seven basic facial expressions (neutral, happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, and disgust), and asked both male and female participants to rate the perceived body attractiveness and body size. The analysis revealed an evident modulatory role of avatar facial expressions on body attractiveness and body size ratings, but not on the amount of viewing time directed at individual body features. Specifically, happy and angry avatars attracted the highest and lowest body attractiveness ratings, respectively, and fearful and surprised avatars tended to be rated slimmer. Interestingly, the impact of facial expression on female body assessment was not further influenced by viewers’ gender, suggesting a ‘universal’ role of common facial expressions in modifying the perception of female body appearance.

The effect of social appearance anxiety and body perception on the quality of life in burn patients

“…Women with burn injuries generally report higher levels of appearance dissatisfaction than men, and they are reported to be more damaging than men in several areas of social recovery, such as social interactions and romantic and sexual relationships 18 . Appearance holds significant value in many societies, especially in women, and people carefully examine not only facial features but also other physical details such as ethnicity, weight, height and hip measurements 19 . Burn patients with exposed scars are known to have lower self‐confidence and quality of life 17 .…”

“… 18 Appearance holds significant value in many societies, especially in women, and people carefully examine not only facial features but also other physical details such as ethnicity, weight, height and hip measurements. 19 Burn patients with exposed scars are known to have lower self‐confidence and quality of life. 17 In a study by Habib et al (2021), it was determined that there was a need for an in‐depth understanding of burn victims with facial deformities using a qualitative approach, which included their perceptions, experiences, emotions, feelings, behaviours, the discrimination they suffered, coping strategies, resilience and support systems.…”