There are instances when the human brain quickly processes information, such as judging the trustworthiness of a person’s face in a split second.

A recent study conducted by NYU revealed that the brain forms a trust judgment about a face in approximately 33 milliseconds, faster than the blink of an eye. Jonathan Freeman, the lead researcher of the study, explains that “the brain automatically reacts to a face’s trustworthiness before it is consciously perceived.”

The study presented six faces for analysis—three real faces and three computer-generated ones, each categorized as low, neutral, or high in perceived trustworthiness:

Interestingly, personal perceptions align with the study’s findings. Faces on the right are often perceived as friendly, while those on the left may be associated with negative traits. However, it is crucial to note that all these faces are just regular, expressionless human faces. The study indicates that characteristics such as pronounced cheekbones and high “inner eyebrows” are key indicators of trustworthiness.

Have you ever pondered whether your face gives off a trustworthy impression?

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