ICPS

2019 International Convention of Psychological Science · 2019

Pain Perception: Healthcare Providers’ Facial Appearance Does Matter

Paris, France · March 2019

Posters · Cognitive Science

  • 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

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