The impact of missing facial features on cross-cultural trait judgments: A comparison of Bahrain and the UK.

Abstract

The rapid formation of social judgments based on facial appearance is well-established, yet the role of specific facial features across cultural contexts remains underexplored. This study investigated how specific facial features-the eyes, nose, and mouth influence trait attributions across two culturally distinct populations: Bahrain and the United Kingdom. Employing digitally illustrated "faceless portraits" that omit key facial features at differing stages, the study assessed participant ratings on five social traits: dominance, friendliness, attractiveness, loyalty, and trustworthiness. A total of 270 participants evaluated portraits in which only selected features were visible. In the UK sample, the presence of the mouth accounted for over 50 % of the variance in judgments of friendliness and dominance, although the mouth images often conveyed emotional cues. In contrast, Bahraini participants weighted the eyes more heavily, particularly in judgments of trustworthiness and attractiveness. Regression analyses confirmed that the mouth was a primary predictor of dominance and friendliness in both samples, whereas the eyes played a more prominent role in trait judgments among Bahraini participants. Reaction time analyses revealed significant interactions between location, trait, and feature presence, with UK participants demonstrating faster responses overall. These findings underscore the salience of individual facial features in impression formation and highlight meaningful cross-cultural variation in feature prioritization. By isolating facial components, this study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of face perception mechanisms and offers a methodological foundation for future research on cultural, cognitive, and affective dimensions of social judgment.