Comparison of face-based and voice-based first impressions in a Chinese sample

Abstract

People often form first impressions of others based on face and/or voice cues. This study aimed to compare the first impressions formed under these two cues. First, we compared free descriptions based on face and voice cues and found differences in the content and frequency of the personality words. We then compiled three wordlists used for face-based and voice-based first impression evaluations separately or simultaneously. Second, using these wordlists, we compared face-based and voice-based first impression ratings and found that both had significant intra-rater and inter-rater reliability. However, using the mean of the actors' self-rating and their acquaintance rating as the validity criterion, only the ratings of ‘ingenuous’ and ‘mature’ traits in the face-based first impression evaluation were significantly correlated with the validity criterion. Factor analysis revealed that face-based first impression had the dimensions of capability and approachability, while voice-based first impression had capability, approachability and reliability. The findings indicate that stable first impressions can be formed by either face or voice cues. However, the specific composition of impressions will vary between the cues. These results also provide a foundation for studying first impressions formed by an integrated perception of voice and face cues.