Face Value: The Irresistible Influence of First Impressions

Face Value examines the science of first impressions and the influence of facial appearance on social judgment. This digital PDF edition is available for instant download after purchase.

Alexander Todorov explains why people form snap judgments from faces, why those judgments can feel consistent, and why they are often unreliable. The book connects research in psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and computer science.

The digital file is intended for reading with appropriate Kindle apps, tablets, desktop computers, mobile devices, and compatible reading apps.

Book Overview

Face Value: The Irresistible Influence of First Impressions is a science and psychology book by Alexander Todorov, published by Princeton University Press in 2017.

Todorov explores the belief that faces reveal personality and character. He shows how facial impressions can influence important decisions, while presenting evidence that these impressions are frequently inaccurate and shaped by personal biases and stereotypes.

The book is organized into four parts. It begins with the historical appeal of physiognomy, then examines the psychology of first impressions, their possible errors, and the distinctive role of faces in human perception.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• How people form impressions from faces after brief exposure.
• Why impressions can influence decisions about competence, trustworthiness, and other traits.
• How modern research differs from the nineteenth-century pseudoscience of physiognomy.
• Why facial impressions can be consistent across observers yet remain inaccurate.
• How the brain processes faces and basic social signals.
• How evolutionary explanations and misleading images shape interpretations of faces.
• How research on facial perception relates to bias, stereotypes, and decision-making.

Why Face Value Matters

The book offers a research-based examination of a familiar part of social life: judging others by their faces. Its central relevance lies in showing that widely shared impressions are not necessarily accurate assessments of character.

By bringing together historical, psychological, neuroscientific, and computational perspectives, Todorov presents facial perception as a subject of scientific inquiry. The work is relevant to general readers, psychologists, and anyone studying social cognition or human judgment.

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This is a digital download, so there is no physical shipping. Access is available after purchase.

The PDF can be read on appropriate Kindle apps, tablets, desktop computers, mobile devices, browsers, and compatible reading apps. Device features may vary by application.

FAQ

When can I access the book?
Access is available after purchase, with instant download of the digital file.

Will I receive a physical copy?
No. This product is a digital download, and no physical copy is shipped.

Which devices can I use?
You can use appropriate Kindle apps, tablets, desktop or mobile devices, and compatible reading apps that support PDF files.

Download the digital edition of Face Value: The Irresistible Influence of First Impressions for research-focused reading on facial perception and first impressions.

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