Re:Why people have trouble reading neutral faces
by wenc on Tuesday April 24, 2018 @05:23PM
(#16916740)
The article does not address RBF specifically but speaks to perceivers' perspectives being colored by their upbringing. Most comments here are not directed at the article but at other comments.
Also, there seems to be some evidence that RBF is an observable phenomenon [1]. Empirically I have experienced it both as a perceiver and one who is afflicted.
Psychologically, most humans have a System 1 (fast and subconscious) way of perceiving things, and it's very hard to change that through mass awareness and such. System 1 is based on mental schemas which cumulate over life.
There are of course "enlightened" people who would slow down their thoughts and engage their System 2 (slow conscious thought) in order to overcome prejudice, but the vast majority of people are not enlightened.
And unlike race and skin color, it's very hard to start a conversation in society to combat prejudice against people with RBF because it's subtle, non-systemic, and the severity of its effects are fairly submerged and hidden. It's also not strictly speaking a debilitating condition, although there is some social cost.
I think it's easier for people who are afflicted to try to moderate the effects that their face has on other people's perceptions. It takes some (non-onerous) effort but such efforts do improve their life appreciably.
I would not liken it to prejudice against skin color at all. Just because the two seem to have some things in common doesn't mean they have all things in common.
Also, there seems to be some evidence that RBF is an observable phenomenon [1]. Empirically I have experienced it both as a perceiver and one who is afflicted.
Psychologically, most humans have a System 1 (fast and subconscious) way of perceiving things, and it's very hard to change that through mass awareness and such. System 1 is based on mental schemas which cumulate over life.
There are of course "enlightened" people who would slow down their thoughts and engage their System 2 (slow conscious thought) in order to overcome prejudice, but the vast majority of people are not enlightened.
And unlike race and skin color, it's very hard to start a conversation in society to combat prejudice against people with RBF because it's subtle, non-systemic, and the severity of its effects are fairly submerged and hidden. It's also not strictly speaking a debilitating condition, although there is some social cost.
I think it's easier for people who are afflicted to try to moderate the effects that their face has on other people's perceptions. It takes some (non-onerous) effort but such efforts do improve their life appreciably.
I would not liken it to prejudice against skin color at all. Just because the two seem to have some things in common doesn't mean they have all things in common.
[1] https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/resting-bitch-face-is-r...