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The review aims to investigate how acquired facial differences influence perception, bias, and social interactions.

February 14, 2026The Cognitive Psychology Bulletin0 citations

The cognitive and social impact of acquired facial differences: From visual salience to dehumanisation

Key Points

The review aims to investigate how acquired facial differences influence perception, bias, and social interactions.
Analyses of literature from neuroscience and psychology regarding facial features and social judgment.
Examination of cultural histories and media portrayals related to facial atypicality.
Consideration of emotional responses and gaze patterns associated with altered face perception.
Heightened visual salience of faces with differences but decreased social engagement.
Increased implicit bias toward individuals with facial atypicalities, leading to dehumanisation.
Cultural narratives perpetuate negative associations between appearance and moral character.

Abstract

Faces are central to human perception, communication, and social judgment. This review explores how acquired facial differences alter face perception and elicit implicit bias, disrupted gaze patterns, and emotional disengagement. Drawing from neuroscience, developmental psychology, and cultural history, I examine how facial atypicality affects attention, emotion recognition, and empathy. Facial differences trigger heightened visual salience but reduced social processing, contributing to dehumanisation. Cultural and media portrayals reinforce harmful associations between appearance and morality. Understanding the cognitive mechanisms behind facial stigma is critical for addressing prejudice and improving social inclusion for individuals with facial differences.

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