Face your heart: resting vagally mediated Heart Rate Variability Shapes Social Attributions from facial appearance

Abstract Phylogenetic theories suggest resting vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) as a biomarker for adaptive behavior in social encounters. Until now, no study has examined whether vmHRV can predict individual differences inferring personality traits and intentions from facial appearance. To test this hypothesis, was recorded 83 healthy individuals before they rated series of faces based on their first impression trustworthiness, dominance, typicality, familiarity, caring, attractiveness. We found an association between attributions Specifically, higher levels predicted scores ratings caring suggesting that strangers’ are more likely to be perceived safer. The present results (compared with lower vmHRV) associated the tendency minimize evaluative threat maximize affiliative cues at glance others’ faces.