Overgeneralizing Belonging: Limited Exposure to Baby-Faced Targets Increases the Feeling of Social Belonging
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-4-2014
Journal / Book Title
The Journal of Social Psychology
Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that exposure to babyish faces can serve a social surrogacy function, such that even limited exposure to babyish faces can fulfill social belongingness needs. We manipulated the sex and facial maturity of a target face seen in an imagined social interaction, on a between-participants basis. Regardless of target sex, individuals indicated greater satisfaction of social belongingness needs following an imagined interaction with a babyish face, compared to a mature adult face. These results indicate that brief exposure to babyish (relative to mature) faces, even without an extensive interaction, can lead to the satisfaction of social belongingness needs. ©
DOI
10.1080/00224545.2014.901286
MSU Digital Commons Citation
Sacco, Donald F.; Wilson, John Paul; Hugenberg, Kurt; and Wirth, James H., "Overgeneralizing Belonging: Limited Exposure to Baby-Faced Targets Increases the Feeling of Social Belonging" (2014). Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 353.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/psychology-facpubs/353
Published Citation
Sacco, D. F., Wilson, J. P., Hugenberg, K., & Wirth, J. H. (2014). Overgeneralizing Belonging: Limited Exposure to Baby-Faced Targets Increases the Feeling of Social Belonging. The Journal of Social Psychology, 154(4), 273–277. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2014.901286
