Traitors research explains why Faithful are struggling in show
It found group trustworthiness occurs by combining facial features into one "composite face"
Last updated 26th Jan 2024
New research may explain why people's judgments of the trustworthiness of groups are often flawed, as seen in the hit TV series The Traitors.
A study from the School of Psychology at the University of Aberdeen found when people encounter groups, they judge trustworthiness by combining their facial features into one "composite face", which researchers say can have serious implications for how they perceive them.
This process is termed "ensemble perception" and is thought to be particularly useful as it allows people to quickly extract perceived social information.
Judgements are "neither accurate nor reliable"
Postgraduate student Fiammetta Marini explained: "We know that we subconsciously judge whether an individual is trustworthy based on facial characteristics.
"For example, high eyebrows that seem surprised-looking in their shape, along with a U-shaped mouth, are usually perceived as trustworthy.
"On the other hand, eyes close together or lower eyebrows are often perceived as untrustworthy.
"It is important to note, however, that these judgments are neither accurate nor reliable.
"The link between facial features and actual trustworthiness is far from perfect, and trustworthiness impressions are insufficiently accurate to serve as reliable foundations for real-world decision-making.
"Regardless, we make these split-second judgments and they have a big impact in our everyday lives, even if these impressions are not always accurate, they invariably shape our social behaviour."
We should focus on actions, according to study
The research, which was conducted under the supervision of lecturers Dr Mauro Manassi and Dr Clare Sutherland, found these judgments are made in around a quarter of a second.
Ms Marini continued: "Maybe what the research really shows is that we should focus on what people do, as opposed to judgments about whether we like the look of them.
"This can explain why people may say things like 'there's just something about them I don't trust' or 'I don't trust any of them', and yes, it may explain why the Traitors are proving so elusive."
The popular BBC show follows a group of contestants in which some become Traitors and the remaining Faithful must work together to eliminate them from the game and collect the prize money.
In the second series, screening now, the Faithful have been struggling to identify who should and should not be trusted.
The latest series, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, concludes on BBC One tonight.