The allure of status: high-status targets are privileged in face processing and memory

Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2011 Aug;37(8):1003-15. doi: 10.1177/0146167211407210. Epub 2011 May 23.

Abstract

The current research tests the hypothesis that face processing is attuned to high-status faces. Across three experiments, faces of high-status targets were better recognized than faces of low-status targets. In Experiment 2, this memory advantage for high-status targets also extended to an attentional bias toward high-status targets and to stronger sociospatial memory (identity-location link) for high-status targets. Finally, Experiment 3 finds that high-status faces received more expert-style holistic processing than did low-status faces. This suggests that high-status faces also benefit more from the strategic deployment of expert face processing resources than low-status faces. Taken together, these data indicate that perceivers strategically allocate face processing resources to targets perceived to be high in status.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Face*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Mental Recall*
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Photography
  • Social Class*