 It is theholy grailof politicians everywhere - how to win and keep the trust of voters.
Now researchers at the University of St Andrew's in Scotland say they may have the answer. They believe politicians could learn a lot from recent advances in science. A growing number of studies have shown that people do judge a book by its cover. Researchers say most of us make instant judgements about a person on the basis of how they look. They sayfacial featurescan determine whether we like or trust someone. It may even influence how we vote. "Over the years, we have found that facial features affect the way many of us perceive others," says Elisabeth Cornwell, a psychology researcher at the university's Perception Laboratory. Studies suggest that people are less likely to trust those with particularly masculine features, such as a square jaw, small eyes or big nose. "They are perceived as dominant and less trustworthy," says Ms Cornwell. "It doesn't mean that men who look more masculine are less trustworthy - it's just our first impressions." Those with less masculine features - larger eyes, a smaller nose and thinner lips - are deemed to be more trustworthy. "We are very good at processing these features quickly," says Ms Cornwell. The researchers are putting their science to the test at the Royal Society's annual summer exhibition in London. They have subtly manipulated the faces of Prime Minister Tony Blair, Conservative leader Michael Howard and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedyaccentuatingtheir dominant and trustworthy features respectively. "We have used a computer programme to change the shape of their face and features. "We hope it will help people to understand our work." So should we expect to see Tony Blair, Michael Howard and Charles Kennedy at the exhibition getting tips? "I don't think it's something they will want to try," says Ms Cornwell. "It's not really possible with television. We all know what they look like. I think they would be naive to try it." (Agencies)
| 如何才能贏得并保持選民對自己的信任——世界各地政治家們夢寐以求卻永遠無法解決的問題。 現在蘇格蘭圣安德魯大學的研究者們聲稱他們可能掌握了其中的秘訣。 他們相信政治家們可以從最近的科學研究成果中學到很多東西。 越來越多的研究表明人們根據封面來判斷一本書的好壞。 研究者們說大部分人對一個人第一眼的評價主要取決于他的相貌。 他們說面部特征可以決定人們是否喜歡或信任一個人，這甚至可以影響人們的投票。 蘇格蘭圣安德魯大學感覺實驗室的心理學研究員伊麗莎白·康威爾說：“這些年，我們發現很多人對他人的認識方式都會受到此人面部特征的影響。” 研究表明人們不太容易相信有突出男性特征的人，比如方下巴，小眼睛，大鼻子。 康威爾小姐說：“人們認為有這種特征的人有權有勢，不太值得信任。” “這并不意味著看起來陽剛的男士不可信賴——這只是人們的第一印象。” 人們認為更值得信賴的是那些男性特征不太突出的人——大眼睛，小鼻子，薄嘴唇。 康威爾小姐說：“人們可以很熟練的迅速處理這些特征。” 研究者們在倫敦英國皇家學會年度夏季展覽會上展示了他們的成果，并接受檢驗。 他們巧妙的利用知名人物的臉來進行試驗，包括首相托尼·布萊爾，保守黨領袖邁克爾·霍華德和自由民主黨領袖查爾斯·肯尼迪，分別著重指出了他們三人臉部特征中表示有權勢或可信賴的特征。 “我們使用電腦程序改變他們的臉型和五官特征。” “我們希望這有助于人們理解我們的成果。” 那么，我們是否可以期待在展覽會上看到改頭換面后的托尼·布萊爾，邁克爾·霍華德和查爾斯·肯尼迪贏得選民的青睞呢？ 康威爾小姐說：“我想他們不會用這三個人的臉做實驗。” “在電視上不會成功的。我們都知道他們三個人長什么樣子，我認為他們做這種試驗實在是太幼稚了。” holy grail:（傳說耶穌死前在最后的晚餐用過，后又承接過他的血的）圣杯（系亞瑟王的騎士追求之物），在這里用了它的引申義，意思是夢寐以求但永遠實現不了的目標。
facial features:面部特征
accentuating:著重
（中國日報網站譯）
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Updated: 2004-07-08 01:00
