Semantic differential measure of effect of pupil size on person perception.

Abstract

To clarify the effects of pupil size on person perception, 60 males and 60 females enrolled in introductory psychology classes rated a drawing of either a male or a female face characterized by either large, medium, or small pupils on semantic differential scales measuring the dimensions of pleasure, arousal, and dominance (6). The drawings had neutral facial expressions. Subjects also completed a checklist of facial features, indicating specific characteristics which most influenced their ratings of the drawings. Additional space was provided for subjects to describe the drawings. An inspection of the results of 3 x 2 X 2 (pupil size X sex of drawing X sex of subject) factorial analyses of variance for rhe dimensions of pleasure, arousal, and dominance, respectively, indicated no significant effects for pupil size. A significant effect for sex of drawing on the dominance dimension (P = 49.75, df = 1/108, p < ,001) was obtained, however. Both male and female subjects perceived the male drawing as more dominant than the female drawing, regardless of pupil size. Data from the checklist indicated that the most frequently checked facial features were eyes (85% of subjects), pupils of eyes (77% of subjects), and eyebrows (75% of subjects). The subjects' written descriptions of the drawings showed no system;ltic differences, and only 7 of the 120 subjects explicitly stated that pupil size influenced their ratings. Although negative findings were obtained for pupil size, it is important to note that pupil size was studied in isolation, suggesting that future research concern the possibility that pupil size may function as a moderator variable in such a way as to accentuate or to diminish the effects of other factors known to influence person perception.