Web-based sensitivity training for interacting with facial paralysis

Abstract

Previous research has shown that observers tend to form inaccurate and negatively biased first impressions of people with facial paralysis (FP). It has been hypothesised that this may be ameliorated by encouraging people to focus on channels of expression other than the face. This was tested in a web-based study of 466 participants. Participants in the Trained Condition received tips for perceiving expressiveness in individuals with FP, while those in the Untrained Condition received general medical information about FP. We observed no significant differences between groups for accuracy of emotion recognition, but a significant effect of the training upon perception of emotional intensity. These results show that attending to non-facial cues may improve social perception and reduce bias.