ICPS
2019 International Convention of Psychological Science · 2019
Pain Perception: Healthcare Providers’ Facial Appearance Does Matter
- Katia Mattarozzi
University of Bologna - Margherita Bassetti
University of Bologna - Elisa Caponera
National Institute for the Evaluation of Educational System - Valentina Colonnello
University of Bologna - Elena Farolfi
University of Bologna - Paolo Russo
University of Bologna - Alexander Todorov
Princeton University
Abstract
We aimed to explore the role of unreflective trait inferences from facial appearance in modulating the evaluation of a physical sensation. In a study conducted in actual clinical setting, we show that healthcare providers’ facial appearance (i.e. familiarity) is a strong predictor of pain experienced by patients during medical procedures.
Social Cognition