As somewhat of an artist, I'm familiar with different facial structures from a drawing perspective. As a person, I think we all have instinctual responses to different-appearing faces. It is thus no surprise to me that Princeton University researchers have determined that people do indeed respond in milliseconds to the most- and least-trustworthy facial structures, as portrayed below:
As the possessor of a face more like the right side of the scale than the left, I have been well-aware most of my life that people "trusted" me. In my case, their trust is well-founded. (that's a new picture and - no makeup).
On a similar note, I absolutely adore the new show "Lie to Me." Yes, it's a little bit mechanical, a little artificial, and the star, Tim Roth, seems to be going for the misogynistic, yet loveable "House" vibe and not quite making it. But I still love the show. I debate whether or not I am one of the "naturals" presented in the show, represented by the extremely cool, natural and likeable Monica Raymund.
Notice how much the guy on the far left resembles John Malkovich?
This has made an entire career for John Malkovich.
I told my students the story of Claus Von Bulow, which was made into a wonderful, shiveringly creepy film called Reversal of Fortune - one student had seen it and remembered it starred Glenn Close as Sunny Von Bulow (who recently died after so many years in a coma, I believe) and Jeremy Irons as the mysterious Claus.
That's a tiny picture, but it says it all - because the real Jeremy Irons doesn't really look that way.
Why was this discussed in class? Because one of the "Persons of the Day" was Alan Dershowitz, who wrote an essay that was prior assigned reading. Dershowitz defended Claus Von Bulow against charges that he had deliberately injected his wealthy wife Sunny with too much insulin, thereby causing her to sink into a lengthy and irretrievable coma that gave him control over her considerable fortune. The story of Reversal of Fortune was the story of Dershowitz's growing doubts over Von Bulow's motives, actions and innocence or guilt. As in real life, the film left viewers wondering, though they shouldn't have after the great cab scene during which Dershowitz, beautifully-played by Ron Silver, says, "You're a very strange man, Mr. Von Bulow."
Jeremy Irons looks over and says in the most inscrutable voice, "Oh, you have no idea." By clicking on the link to the book, you can see that the real Claus Von Bulow fit at the left of the trustworthiness scale - I'm not about to put his picture on my web page.