Psycho-Physiognomics
What your face reveals about your character
© Aleshyn_Andrei / shutterstock
Long nose? Narrow face? Scientific studies have shown that certain facial features tell what makes us tick.
Face and character are related
Can we judge a person on the basis of his appearance? Yes, says at least one ancient doctrine called psycho-physiognomics. The body, especially the face, the physique, the facial expressions and gestures should provide information about the character traits of a person.
Numerous studies that investigate the connection between face and character have shown that this is no nonsense. The researcher Carmen Lefevre from Northumbria University explains the connection in an interview with the British news channel BBC: “The idea is that our biology, for example our genes or hormone levels, influence growth and these mechanisms also shape our character.”
Does the shape of the face determine the success? Monkeys and soccer players prove it!
People with wider faces and more prominent cheekbones often have higher testosterone levels – this has been researched for a long time. And that’s why they should often be more dominant or even more aggressive than people with narrow faces.
A study by Northumbria University showed that the relationship between the width and length of the face in capuchin monkeys determines which position the animal occupies in the hierarchy. The monkeys with the broadest faces were alpha animals.
The same results came from a study by the University of Colorado, in which the soccer players of the soccer world cup 2010 were observed. Players with wider faces fouled more often, but also scored more goals.
Fit? This reveals the distribution of fat on the face
The amount of fat on the face says more about a person’s fitness than the body mass index, as Benedict Jones from the University of Glasgow recognized. People with narrow faces are said to be less prone to infection. And if an infection does occur, it is less severe than in people with thick faces and broad cheekbones. Also, people with narrow faces are less prone to depression and panic attacks.
Friendly and open? Look at the iris!
Örebro University in Sweden examined the iris patterns of 428 test subjects and found that the relationship between eye color and character can be measured. Because the development of the eyes is closely linked to the development of the brain. A special gene called “Pax6” is crucial: it is not only involved in the formation of the iris pattern, but is also active in the brain in those areas that are responsible for emotions and behavior.
After a detailed examination of the iris, the test subjects underwent a standardized personality test. The result: impulsive and neurotic people or those with great self-discipline have more frequent contraction rings (delicate arched sections or circles around the pupil).
The longitudinal furrows provided the best information about the character. They indicate a friendly, open nature and stand for properties such as warmth, empathy and trust. The denser the furrows, the more pronounced the properties.
Alpha animal? Your nose reveals that!
In 2013, the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery published a study that revolved around the nose. The result: people who are ambitious, self-confident and independent have big noses – the born alpha animals. Anyone with the tip of their nose supposedly focuses on financial matters. Few pronounced tips of the nose belong to people who should be warm and lovable personalities. Those with a long nose act intuitively, enjoy the hustle and bustle and like to make decisions.
Are the eyes light or dark?
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh even found that women with blue eyes are more capable of suffering and the pain of childbirth better than women with dark eyes.
In addition, scientists have shown that people with light eyes can tolerate more alcohol than people with dark eyes, they are also more likely to drink a lot of alcohol. Dark-eyed people are said to be more responsive to certain drugs and aroused more quickly.