The relationship between facial skeletal class and expert-rated interpersonal skill: an epidemiological survey on young Italian adults
2006

Facial Structure and Interpersonal Skills in Young Adults

Sample size: 1014 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Senna Andrea, Abbenante Domenico, Tremolizzo Lucio, Campus Guglielmo, Strohmenger Laura

Primary Institution: University of Milano

Hypothesis

The capability of successfully managing interpersonal relationships in young adults might be related to the facial skeletal class.

Conclusion

Females may be more sensitive to physical factors determining beauty, such as facial morphology.

Supporting Evidence

  • About 20% of subjects were considered potentially unable to manage interpersonal relationships.
  • Males had about double the risk of being not-successful compared to females.
  • Females showed a different distribution of interpersonal skills among facial skeletal classes.

Takeaway

This study looked at how the shape of people's faces might affect their ability to make friends. It found that girls might care more about how they look than boys do.

Methodology

1,014 young subjects were evaluated for facial skeletal class and interpersonal skills using the MMPI-2 test.

Potential Biases

Psychiatrists' evaluations may be influenced by the perceived attractiveness of subjects.

Limitations

The sample may not represent the general population due to selection bias from military academy applicants.

Participant Demographics

776 males and 248 females, mean age 19.8 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p < 0.0002

Confidence Interval

1.47 – 3.71

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-244X-6-41

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