Study Shows Wrinkles May Obscure Emotions

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology shows that younger people have more difficulty determining emotions on faces that have wrinkles, with the difficulty increasing as the level of wrinkles increases. When viewing older faces, younger people had problems determining the intensity of the emotion that was being conveyed, and often were unsure which emotion was being expressed or if more than one emotion was present. Neutral faces on elderly participants were also shown to have more emotion than was intended.

These difficulties may have far-reaching consequences on our social behavior, according to an NBC News story about this research project. According to Dr. Ursula Hess, who was the lead author of the study, “We may make mistakes when judging the emotions of the elderly. This may result in less harmonious interactions.” In addition to research activities, Dr. Hess serves as a professor of psychology at Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany.

The Facial Wrinkles and Expressions Study

For this study, 65 college students were chosen to participate as the viewers. During their time with the study, they were shown computer-generated images of three women and three men, in black and white. These images were of either young people (ages ranging from 19-21) or elderly participants (76 to 83). These six subjects were shown displaying one of four emotions: happiness, sadness, anger or a neutral expression.

After viewing the faces, the college-aged participants were then asked what emotion they thought was being displayed and how intense it was on a 1-7 scale, with 1 being “not at all intense” and 7 being “very intense.” This was one area that was particularly difficult for study participants, as they struggled with determining the correct level of intensity for older faces. It was also difficult to keep the emotions separate. As reported by Dr. Hess, “In the case of the older Expressed, the anger is seen as mixed with other emotions. Clearly it makes a difference whether you think someone is just angry or someone is both angry and sad.”

The Impact for Scottsdale, Arizona Patients

For those considering possible wrinkle treatments, this news may provide some unexpected bonuses. In addition to the aesthetic benefits, these procedures may improve communication, an essential aspect of any business or personal relationship. Fewer wrinkles may mean more effective interactions that could leave others with a more positive response. These effects would likely be seen after any facial fillers or Botox Cosmetic injections, but would be more pronounced following a brow lift, face lift or eyelid lift.

Questions? Schedule Your Consultation Today!

If you have questions about the various options for preventing or minimizing wrinkles, or want to know more about our other non-surgical or cosmetic surgery procedures, please contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Pamela Henderson. We will be happy to help you reach your facial goals.

Best regards,