AUTHOR=Wang Shuai , Han Chengyang , Sang Zihan , Zhang Xuhui , Chen Shitao , Wang Haoran , Wang Gang , Xu Yiqian , Lei Xue , Chen Jixu 

TITLE=Hidden faces, altered perceptions: the impact of face masks on interpersonal perception

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1203442

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1203442

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<p>The pandemic has made wearing masks commonplace, prompting researchers to investigate their effects on interpersonal perception. Findings indicate masks obstruct face identification and expression recognition, with lower face cues being most affected. When judging attractiveness, masks can enhance the appeal of less attractive faces, but reduce the appeal of more attractive faces. Trust and speech perception outcomes are inconclusive. Future studies could focus on individual differences in how masks influence our perception of others.</p>