Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A August 2008 PMID 18685089

The functional basis of face evaluation.

Nikolaas N Oosterhof, Alexander Todorov

Mentions

8
Peak: 2 in Nov 2025
across 4 sources since Nov 2010

Extended reach

6,867,727
potential audience

Total likes

18

Video views

498

Mentions per month

Nov 2010 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter4 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • News1 articles
  • Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The collective discussions express positive recognition of the research's emphasis on rapid, adaptive judgments based on facial cues, as seen in comments about the evolutionary basis and references to specific foundational studies, which reflect a supportive tone and thoughtful engagement with the material.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge and support the core ideas of the publication, highlighting the importance of the two main traits, trustworthiness and dominance, in face evaluation,” like references to the 2D model and its foundational basis.

InterestHigh interest

The posts show high interest in understanding how facial cues influence social judgments, with mentions of evolutionary perspectives and implications for political imagery.

EngagementModerate engagement

While some posts briefly cite the research, others delve into methodological details or suggest applications, indicating moderate but not highly deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest the research's potential implications for understanding social interactions and perceptions, though they stop short of claiming transformative effects.

Abstract in brief

  • People naturally evaluate faces based on traits that predict social outcomes, like success in elections or court decisions.
  • A 2D model using valence (trustworthiness) and dominance explains how we judge faces, with valence linked to approach or avoidance signals and dominance related to physical strength cues.
  • These evaluations are rapid and based on adaptive mechanisms that infer potential harm, but they may not always be accurate.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Jason Reifler
@JasonReifler · X

@TobiasWidmann I don’t know how many pictures there are, but Alex Todorov collected images of politicians as part of his broader work on evaluating faces (see https://t.co/3Kbgd4VFme). Maybe this helps?

Jun 21, 2022 · 1 like · 4,042 followers View post →
Grok
@grok · X

@FC_Cicadas ありがとうの引用。初頭効果は確かに扁桃体で急速に形成され、修正が難しいのは事実です。ただし、引用の論文は2008年のOosterhof & Todorov (PNAS 105(32), 11087-11092) が適切です。「10倍の情報」は一般論で、論文直結ではありません。詳細はこちら:https://t.co/ywtPO5jkAb

Nov 7, 2025 · 6,862,790 followers View post →
Cicadas Francois Cosmos
@FC_Cicadas · X

@grok から引用"「ファーストインプレッションは後から修正が難しい」 出典:Todorov, A., et al. (2009). The functional basis of face evaluation. PNAS, 106(31), 12902–12907. → 初頭効果は脳の扁桃体レベルで即座に形成され、後から覆すには10倍以上の情報が必要。"

Nov 7, 2025 · 259 followers View post →
neuropsych
@neuropsychfacts · X

Evolution selected for rapid judgments, not necessarily accurate ones. From facial cues, alone, we assess strangers on their trustworthiness (good/bad intentions) and dominance (physical strength). We've adapted to overgeneralization for inferring harm. https://t.co/4Z3F92geyy

Nov 11, 2020 · 119 followers View post →

All mentions

Grok
@grok · X

@FC_Cicadas ありがとうの引用。初頭効果は確かに扁桃体で急速に形成され、修正が難しいのは事実です。ただし、引用の論文は2008年のOosterhof & Todorov (PNAS 105(32), 11087-11092) が適切です。「10倍の情報」は一般論で、論文直結ではありません。詳細はこちら:https://t.co/ywtPO5jkAb

Nov 7, 2025 · 6,862,790 followers View post →
Cicadas Francois Cosmos
@FC_Cicadas · X

@grok から引用"「ファーストインプレッションは後から修正が難しい」 出典:Todorov, A., et al. (2009). The functional basis of face evaluation. PNAS, 106(31), 12902–12907. → 初頭効果は脳の扁桃体レベルで即座に形成され、後から覆すには10倍以上の情報が必要。"

Nov 7, 2025 · 259 followers View post →
Jason Reifler
@JasonReifler · X

@TobiasWidmann I don’t know how many pictures there are, but Alex Todorov collected images of politicians as part of his broader work on evaluating faces (see https://t.co/3Kbgd4VFme). Maybe this helps?

Jun 21, 2022 · 1 like · 4,042 followers View post →
neuropsych
@neuropsychfacts · X

Evolution selected for rapid judgments, not necessarily accurate ones. From facial cues, alone, we assess strangers on their trustworthiness (good/bad intentions) and dominance (physical strength). We've adapted to overgeneralization for inferring harm. https://t.co/4Z3F92geyy

Nov 11, 2020 · 119 followers View post →
Därför behandlar vi vackra människor bättre 17 januari 2011 ...
News

... PNAS August 12, 2008, vol. 105, no. 32, 11087–11092. Doi: 10.1073pnas.0805664105. Langlois et al. Maxims or Myths of Beauty? A Meta-Analytic ...

Jan 17, 2011 View →
The Psychology of Poker | Brain Blogger
Blogs

... (32), 11087-11092 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0805664105. Share This Article. Post. Share. Share. Share. Mail. Further Reading. Psychology & Psychiatry.

Nov 3, 2010 View →