Like breeds like or how self-resemblence influences mimicry

What we researched:

• As it is usually observed that people are more likely to synchronize their behaviors with those who are socially resemblant, i.e., belong to the same group, have similar attitudes or social characteristics, the researchers wanted to investigate whether mimicry is also influenced by physical resemblance.

How we did it:

• Study participants watched dynamic expressions of faces that either did or did not resemble their own, while their facial muscle activity was measured using Electromyography (EMG) equipment that measures muscle response. Additionally, after each presentation, respondents completed social evaluations of the faces they saw.

What we discovered:

• The results show that self-resemblance evokes convergent facial reactions. More specifically, participants mimicked the happiness and, to a lesser extent, the anger of self-resembling faces. In turn, the happiness of non-resembling faces was less likely mimicked than in the case of self-resembling faces, while anger evoked a more divergent, smile-like response. Finally, the researchers found that social evaluations were in general increased by happiness displays, but not influenced by resemblance.

Why is it important?

• Because, the study demonstrates an interesting and novel phenomenon, particularly that mimicry can be modified by relatively subtle cues of physical resemblance.