An Eye-Pouch Effect in Choice of “Smile” Pictures

Abstract

80 female shoppers were asked to choose from a single pair of full-face photographs the one showing greater “smile genuineness.” Four different people were pictured, two males and two females. Within each gender group one person displayed an “upper smile” (where teeth were visible), the other a “smile” (teeth were not visible). The only difference between pair members was “eye pouch” presence or absence. Pouches were removed artistically from one picture of each pair. Regardless of smile-type, eye-pouch presence favoured selection of female pictures, as well as of male and female pictures in a combined analysis. However, for male-face pictures a significant difference (binomial) occurred only for “upper smiles.” Over-all, few viewers identified the critical difference when asked to explain their choice; only 20% mentioned the eyes.