Alexander Todorov - Face Value The Irresistible Influence of First Impressions

Alexander Todorov, a psychology professor at Princeton, discusses his research on face perception and first impressions. He explains how quickly people form impressions based on facial appearance and how these impressions can affect social outcomes, such as predicting election results. Todorov highlights the role of stereotypes and biases in these judgments and the limited accuracy of such assessments. He also explores the influence of images on impressions and the distinction between recognizing familiar and unfamiliar faces, emphasizing the potential for error in judgments based on facial appearance.

What is the primary focus of Alexander Todorov's research?

• Electoral success of politicians

• Mathematical modeling of stereotypes

• Rapid formation of first impressions from faces

• History of physiognomy

How accurate were the predictions of electoral success based on perceived competence?

• 50%

• 80%

• 60%

• 70%

What do mathematical models in Todorov's research help visualize?

• Cultural differences in perception

• Emotional expressions

• Stereotypes of facial appearance

• Facial recognition technology

What is a major reason why judgments based on facial appearance can be misleading?

• They rely on static images

• They are influenced by technology

• They ignore cultural differences

• They are based on outdated science

Which facial feature is often associated with trustworthiness?

• A frown

• A neutral expression

• Closed eyes

• A subtle smile

What is a key difference between recognizing familiar and unfamiliar faces?

• Familiar faces are harder to recognize

• Unfamiliar faces come with more background knowledge

• Unfamiliar faces are easier to remember

• Familiar faces are recognized with additional contextual information

What is a common error in the legal system related to face recognition?

• Inaccurate facial recognition software

• Eyewitness testimony errors

• Over-reliance on technology

• Cultural bias in judgments