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Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
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Personality Judgments Based on Physical Appearance

Laura P. Naumann

University of California, Berkeley, laura.naumann{at}sonoma.edu

Simine Vazire

Washington University in St. Louis

Peter J. Rentfrow

University of Cambridge

Samuel D. Gosling

University of Texas at Austin

Despite the crucial role of physical appearance in forming first impressions, little research has examined the accuracy of personality impressions based on appearance alone. This study examined the accuracy of observers’ impressions on 10 personality traits based on full-body photographs using criterion measures based on self and peer reports. When targets’ posture and expression were constrained (standardized condition), observers’ judgments were accurate for extraversion, self-esteem, and religiosity. When targets were photographed with a spontaneous pose and facial expression (spontaneous condition), observers’ judgments were accurate for almost all of the traits examined. Lens model analyses demonstrated that both static cues (e.g., clothing style) and dynamic cues (e.g., facial expression, posture) offered valuable personality-relevant information. These results suggest that personality is manifested through both static and expressive channels of appearance, and observers use this information to form accurate judgments for a variety of traits.

Key Words: accuracy • person perception • personality • appearance • facial expression

This version was published on December 1, 2009

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Vol. 35, No. 12, 1661-1671 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0146167209346309
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