Older and Younger Adults' Accuracy in Discerning Health and Competence in Older and Younger Faces

Leslie A. Zebrowitz; Robert Franklin; Jasmine Boshyan; Victor X. Luevano; Stefan Agrigoroaei; Bosiljka Milosavljevic; Margie E. Lachman

doi:10.1037/a0036255

Older and Younger Adults' Accuracy in Discerning Health and Competence in Older and Younger Faces

Leslie A. Zebrowitz, Robert Franklin, Jasmine Boshyan, Victor X. Luevano, Stefan Agrigoroaei, Bosiljka Milosavljevic, Margie E. Lachman

Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We examined older and younger adults’ accuracy judging the health and competence of faces. Accuracy differed significantly from chance and varied with face age but not rater age. Health ratings were more accurate for older than younger faces, with the reverse for competence ratings. Accuracy was greater for low attractive younger faces, but not for low attractive older faces. Greater accuracy judging older faces’ health was paralleled by greater validity of attractiveness and looking older as predictors of their health. Greater accuracy judging younger faces’ competence was paralleled by greater validity of attractiveness and a positive expression as predictors of their competence. Although the ability to recognize variations in health and cognitive ability is preserved in older adulthood, the effects of face age on accuracy and the different effects of attractiveness across face age may alter social interactions across the life span.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	454
Number of pages	468
Journal	Psychology and Aging
Volume	29
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036255
Publication status	Published - Sept 2014

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title = "Older and Younger Adults' Accuracy in Discerning Health and Competence in Older and Younger Faces",

abstract = "We examined older and younger adults{\textquoteright} accuracy judging the health and competence of faces. Accuracy differed significantly from chance and varied with face age but not rater age. Health ratings were more accurate for older than younger faces, with the reverse for competence ratings. Accuracy was greater for low attractive younger faces, but not for low attractive older faces. Greater accuracy judging older faces{\textquoteright} health was paralleled by greater validity of attractiveness and looking older as predictors of their health. Greater accuracy judging younger faces{\textquoteright} competence was paralleled by greater validity of attractiveness and a positive expression as predictors of their competence. Although the ability to recognize variations in health and cognitive ability is preserved in older adulthood, the effects of face age on accuracy and the different effects of attractiveness across face age may alter social interactions across the life span.",

author = "Zebrowitz, {Leslie A.} and Robert Franklin and Jasmine Boshyan and Luevano, {Victor X.} and Stefan Agrigoroaei and Bosiljka Milosavljevic and Lachman, {Margie E.}",

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T1 - Older and Younger Adults' Accuracy in Discerning Health and Competence in Older and Younger Faces

AU - Zebrowitz, Leslie A.

AU - Franklin, Robert

AU - Boshyan, Jasmine

AU - Luevano, Victor X.

AU - Agrigoroaei, Stefan

AU - Milosavljevic, Bosiljka

AU - Lachman, Margie E.

PY - 2014/9

Y1 - 2014/9

N2 - We examined older and younger adults’ accuracy judging the health and competence of faces. Accuracy differed significantly from chance and varied with face age but not rater age. Health ratings were more accurate for older than younger faces, with the reverse for competence ratings. Accuracy was greater for low attractive younger faces, but not for low attractive older faces. Greater accuracy judging older faces’ health was paralleled by greater validity of attractiveness and looking older as predictors of their health. Greater accuracy judging younger faces’ competence was paralleled by greater validity of attractiveness and a positive expression as predictors of their competence. Although the ability to recognize variations in health and cognitive ability is preserved in older adulthood, the effects of face age on accuracy and the different effects of attractiveness across face age may alter social interactions across the life span.

AB - We examined older and younger adults’ accuracy judging the health and competence of faces. Accuracy differed significantly from chance and varied with face age but not rater age. Health ratings were more accurate for older than younger faces, with the reverse for competence ratings. Accuracy was greater for low attractive younger faces, but not for low attractive older faces. Greater accuracy judging older faces’ health was paralleled by greater validity of attractiveness and looking older as predictors of their health. Greater accuracy judging younger faces’ competence was paralleled by greater validity of attractiveness and a positive expression as predictors of their competence. Although the ability to recognize variations in health and cognitive ability is preserved in older adulthood, the effects of face age on accuracy and the different effects of attractiveness across face age may alter social interactions across the life span.

U2 - 10.1037/a0036255

DO - 10.1037/a0036255

M3 - Article

SN - 0882-7974

VL - 29

SP - 454

JO - Psychology and Aging

JF - Psychology and Aging

IS - 3

ER -

Older and Younger Adults' Accuracy in Discerning Health and Competence in Older and Younger Faces

Abstract

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