Effects of Attractiveness and Maturity of Face and Voice on Interpersonal Impressions

Abstract

We examined effects of attractiveness and maturity of face and voice on interpersonal impressions. Higher attractiveness, both facial and vocal, resulted in more positive impressions. However, facial attractiveness influenced primarily interpersonal dimensions (extroversion, warmth, and agreeableness) whereas vocal attractiveness influenced primarily more private dimensions (neuroticism and conscientiousness). Higher maturity, both facial and vocal, resulted in impressions of higher dominance and lower warmth and agreeableness. Higher facial maturity resulted in somewhat less positive impressions whereas higher vocal maturity did not. Consistent with this difference, higher vocal maturity was perceived as more attractive whereas higher facial maturity was not. Finally, the effect of a specific quality (attractiveness or maturity) of face or voice was often moderated by other qualities of the same or different channel.