The influence of postural emotion cues on implicit trait judgements

Perceptions of others’ traits (e.g., trustworthiness or dominance) are influenced by the emotion displayed on their face. For instance, same individual appears more trustworthy when they express happiness than anger. This overextension emotional expressions has been shown with facial expression but whether this phenomenon also occurs viewing postural was unknown. We sought to examine how expressive behaviour body would influence judgements and sensitivity cue develops. In context a storybook, adults (N?=?35) children (5 8 years old; N?=?60) selected one two partners help face challenge. The challenges required either dominant partner. Participants chose between partner an (happy/angry) neutral body. As predicted, happy were preferred over ones selecting angry Children’s performance not adult-like most tasks. results demonstrate that can judgments traits, trait develops throughout childhood.