Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Graduate
Major
Experimental Psychology
2nd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Graduate
2nd Student Major
Experimental Psychology
3rd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Graduate
3rd Student Major
Experimental Psychology
4th Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Faculty/Staff
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Jana Hackathorn, PhD.
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
This study seeks to investigate whether face masks influence social judgements of first impressions. Ratings of trustworthiness in strangers has been linked to smiling and facial features. With the Coronavirus pandemic still running rampant in today’s society it has become a social norm to wear a face mask out in public. Due to the fact that a facemask obscures half of an individual’s face, it is expected that the presence of a face mask will influence first impressions. Additionally, gender differences have also been associated with social judgments, in that females are often perceived more positively (e.g., trustworthy) than males. Thus, gender differences in social judgments will also be examined. Undergraduate participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions that varied by target. The targets included a portrait picture of a male or female, with or without face masks. Then participants completed a brief online questionnaire measuring their social judgments, (i.e., trustworthiness, social desirability, and attractiveness) and other variables of interest (e.g., demographics). It is predicted that the subjects wearing a facemask will be seen as less trustworthy, less attractive, and less socially desirable by participants. In addition, it is predicted that these results will be exacerbated for the male subject wearing a facemask.
Keywords: Face Mask, COVID-19, Gender differences, Trustworthiness, Social Desirability, Likability, Attractiveness
Spring Scholars Week 2020 Event
Psychology: Projects In-Progress
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Gender Differences and Social Judgements of Face Masks
This study seeks to investigate whether face masks influence social judgements of first impressions. Ratings of trustworthiness in strangers has been linked to smiling and facial features. With the Coronavirus pandemic still running rampant in today’s society it has become a social norm to wear a face mask out in public. Due to the fact that a facemask obscures half of an individual’s face, it is expected that the presence of a face mask will influence first impressions. Additionally, gender differences have also been associated with social judgments, in that females are often perceived more positively (e.g., trustworthy) than males. Thus, gender differences in social judgments will also be examined. Undergraduate participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions that varied by target. The targets included a portrait picture of a male or female, with or without face masks. Then participants completed a brief online questionnaire measuring their social judgments, (i.e., trustworthiness, social desirability, and attractiveness) and other variables of interest (e.g., demographics). It is predicted that the subjects wearing a facemask will be seen as less trustworthy, less attractive, and less socially desirable by participants. In addition, it is predicted that these results will be exacerbated for the male subject wearing a facemask.
Keywords: Face Mask, COVID-19, Gender differences, Trustworthiness, Social Desirability, Likability, Attractiveness