The information conveyed by varying the dimensions of features in human outline faces

Abstract

Outline drawings of human faces were presented for rating as to a number of dichotomous attributes, while the dimensions of the four constituent features were varied sysrematically. It was found that people act in a regular and predictable fashion in attributing characterisrics to certain of these features. When independently significant features appear in combination, there is a lawful increase in such characterizing responses. Subsidiary findings related to a halo effect between certain attributes, differential employment of some attributes, and a difference in overall strength of effect between certain features. © 1969 Psychonomic Society, Inc.