

Todorov describes how we have evolved the ability to read basic social signals and momentary emotional states from faces, using a network of brain regions dedicated to the processing of faces.

So why do we put so much stock in these widely shared impressions? What is their purpose if they are completely unreliable? In this book, Alexander Todorov, one of the world's leading researchers on the subject, answers these questions as he tells the story of the modern science of first impressions.ĭrawing on psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, computer science, and other fields, this accessible and richly illustrated book describes cutting-edge research and puts it in the context of the history of efforts to read personality from faces. Yet the character judgments we make from faces are as inaccurate as they are irresistible in most situations, we would guess more accurately if we ignored faces. For example, politicians who simply look more competent are more likely to win elections. We make up our minds about others after seeing their faces for a fraction of a second-and these snap judgments predict all kinds of important decisions. The scientific story of first impressions-and why the snap character judgments we make from faces are irresistible but usually incorrect
