Humans are very perceptive to facial expressions and face-to-face interactions are strongly influenced by detecting very subtle changes in those expressions. For instance, we know someone is pulling our leg when we see a "twinkle in their eye", or when you're talking to someone and you see a very small change in position of their eyebrows, that can indicate a change in their mood from indifference to annoyance. We can form initial impressions of people based solely on their expressions, and some people just rub us the wrong way because they might have RBF: Resting Bitch Face (also called Bitchy Resting Face). These are people who always seem to look annoyed or pissed-off, but it might not be their fault. A couple of behavioral researchers think they have figured out why we react so negatively to these expressions and they've posted their research.
We all know the face. No, not just the face, but that face. That look that she swears is not a look. She says she's not angry; she reassures you she's having fun. But her face has been "throwing shade" all night – without saying anything, that face is indicating that she is not happy; more than not happy, she's about to make your night miserable too.
They ran thousands of pictures through a facial recognition program designed to detect emotions. What they saw was that most neutral expression faces registered low indicators of emotion, but fairly equally distributed across emotions; however, pictures of people who are said to exhibit RBF all seem to consistently register strong indicators of contempt. People seem to develop stronger opinions against those who look like they're showing contempt rather than those who look angry or grumpy.
While on the same continuum as anger, the philosopher Robert C. Solomon and others, such as researcher John Gottman, treat contempt differently – it's more a blend of anger and sadness directed at those deemed below you. Contempt is maladaptive in that it is particularly toxic when it develops between people in a relationship.
Do you have RBF? Remember, admission is the first step to recovery.
Related Stories
A recent paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) claims to have developed a machine learning model that can infer over 30 personality or psychological traits of a person from simply looking at a picture of them. They used deep generative image models to create photorealistic pictures of different faces and combined that with over one million judgements to infer physical traits such as age and happiness, but also personality traits such as trustworthiness, smart, liberal/conservative, Middle-Eastern, gay, and dorky.
One of the authors (Joshua Peterson) announced the paper in a Twitter thread. He noted:
Note that we study attribute *inferences* (impressions), which have no necessary correspondence to the actual identities, attitudes, or competencies of people whom the images resemble or depict. Put another way, our dataset not only contains bias, it deliberately reflects it.
He also pointed out that they can use their model to manipulate images by trait, so one could take a photo and increase its perceived trustworthiness without changing any of the other features, and he invites people to upload their own photos for a demonstration.
I'm sure my fellow Soylentils will agree that this kind of research will never be used out of context nor exploited in any untoward manner (oh, by the way, one of the traits is "electability").
I wonder how this relates to Resting Bitch Face?
Journal Reference:
Joshua C. Peterson, Stefan Uddenberg, Thomas L. Griffiths, Alexander Todorov, and Jordan W. Suchow,Deep models of superficial face judgments [open], PNAS, 119, 117, 2022.
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2115228119
(Score: 2) by pixeldyne on Saturday February 06 2016, @05:21AM
I can't tell, I was surprised that the photos shown are supposedly bad or unfriendly in some way. They just look neutral. Maybe tired or at most annoyed.
(Score: 3, Funny) by mcgrew on Saturday February 06 2016, @07:37PM
The name of the computer doing the pattern recognition was "Marvin".
mcgrewbooks.com mcgrew.info nooze.org
(Score: 2) by pixeldyne on Sunday February 07 2016, @10:28PM
Oh that explains it, a paranoid robot is more likely to see human faces in a negative 'light'.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by anubi on Saturday February 06 2016, @05:41AM
Seems like I mostly see this with people on the phone. Especially women. I think we have all seen it... when a bunch of horizontal wrinkles form above the eyebrows and three lines vertical right above the nose.
And it seems like the ones who spend the most time on the phone, well that "phone-face" seems to get set. They always look like that.
I have always known it as the "phone face" and it seems to be a pretty good indicator of someone who spends all their time on the phone.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 4, Funny) by Azuma Hazuki on Saturday February 06 2016, @05:59AM
Former co-workers of mine have said "Marissa, Grumpy Cat is your spirit animal." I do wear that face by default, and even this avatar I'm using has a tendency to mimic that old "woodcut depicting a constipated Samurai and a concerned friend" look. But it just comes from many years of being fed up with the world's injustices and idiocy. I don't hate people by default; I just live mostly in my own head and am constantly dismayed by what I see in the world at large. It feels like being awake in a sea of sleepwalkers.
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday February 06 2016, @06:11AM
>I don't hate people by default; I just live mostly in my own head and am constantly dismayed by what I see in the world at large.
took the words right out of my mouth.
In my case, RBF + being extra tall + being fat tends to worry people from time to time. I can't walk through a mall without a granny or short woman giving me their FIFF (Frozen In Fear Face).
At least I don't wear heavy metal tshirts anymore. lol
(Score: 2) by takyon on Saturday February 06 2016, @06:25AM
Throw in a trench coat and you've got 911 calls.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by Marand on Saturday February 06 2016, @07:11AM
I apparently tend to have that bored/slightly annoyed look and, being tall, favour long coats (shorter ones look weird on me IMO) and yeah, you really do get that sort of paranoid reaction from the combination. Especially in small towns; I went into a local restaurant in a middle-of-nowhere town once like that (tall+long leather coat) and the entire place just stopped and stared. Surprised no cops showed up while I was eating. :/
(Score: 2) by takyon on Saturday February 06 2016, @07:18AM
It's amazing what little things people will call the cops over. Like someone walking down the street.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by Marand on Saturday February 06 2016, @08:06AM
I've been lucky enough in that I've never had cops called on me for it, possibly because I don't act nervous or out of place. Carrying yourself with that "I belong here" demeanor helps a lot... Probably also helps that I've mostly lived in larger areas where it seems like people don't give that sort of thing as much attention, too.
However, what I have dealt with often through the years is being treated like a shoplifter in stores. Go in store and get eyed constantly by staff, who follow me around trying (and failing) to act inconspicuous. Often accompanied by frequent offers for assistance finding things in the store. Doesn't matter if it's a large area or small, this seems to be a universal reaction to a tall person in long coat. Makes it much easier to find help when needed, though. :)
(Score: 2) by q.kontinuum on Saturday February 06 2016, @09:27AM
Yes, happens to me unusually often as well. Got asked a couple of times to open my bag. Once I had an item purchased in another supermarket minutes before, unfortunately I hadn't kept the receipt. They were already getting excited when another assistant came in and clarified that this particular product was not even in their portfolio :-)
Registered IRC nick on chat.soylentnews.org: qkontinuum
(Score: 2, Troll) by Azuma Hazuki on Saturday February 06 2016, @06:27AM
Haha, yeah, people don't like a six-foot woman with a permanent scowl, steel-toed boots, and knee-length hair either. I get the FFIF sometimes, but more often the "What the fuck are YOU, lady?!" look. Like one part wanting to chew me out for being, I dunno, too self-possessed or not demure enough or whatever, and one part fear that if they do I'm gonna kick them in the ass hard enough to step in the cheeseburger they ate at the 1972 Memorial Day cookout, plus the accompanying resentment and cognitive dissonance.
Malls are shiny, soulless, mind-killing palaces to Mammon anyway. Nothing more clearly encapsulates the utter stultifying whitebread cultural rot that is the Midwest than the mall.
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 2) by q.kontinuum on Saturday February 06 2016, @09:12AM
Sounds intriguing to me, at least the steel capped boots and long hair. The constant scowl not so much, but I wear it myself so I don't care too much. But gives imo lots of opportunities to surprise with unexpected irony, which at least most of my friends and colleagues appreciate.
Needs to be accompanied by a good sense of humor though. I'm usually not liked on first sight I feel (unless I actively work on my facial expressions or are in an exceptional good mood). After some time of meeting me I think I 'm more polarizing with mixed responses
Registered IRC nick on chat.soylentnews.org: qkontinuum
(Score: 2) by GungnirSniper on Saturday February 06 2016, @01:27PM
Find your technical giantesses here. [soylentnews.org]
Tips for better submissions to help our site grow. [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 3, Funny) by Azuma Hazuki on Saturday February 06 2016, @05:46PM
I'm both taken and really really gay, like "gayer than Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus on a lavender motorbike with rainbow tassels and a cat in the basket" gay. So, uh...thanks for the thought I guess? =P
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 2) by q.kontinuum on Saturday February 06 2016, @07:20PM
Not the place were I would place a dating profile, I guess... But since this discussion is about appearance, her self-description seems as on-topic as a f'up comment on it. It's interesting to see how someone might consider certain traits a liability while others see the very same traits as a plus.
dating.soylentnews.org sounds like a fun idea. Not that I'd risk dating the likes of us, but it might relieve the burden on regular dating sites ;-)
BTW: I'm male, married, straight, with kid, neither looking nor expecting to be sought for.
Registered IRC nick on chat.soylentnews.org: qkontinuum
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday February 06 2016, @12:14PM
hah I used to tell myself that I was weeding out all the boring people by looking like I did (6'3", mid-back length hair, metal tshirt, black jeans tucked into g.p. boots). Graduated from high school in the same year as columbine with my love foor doom/quake and sporting many marilyn manson tshirts. But then realised how much I judge people by their appearance too.
Although I think the RBF dominates any look. Put Noel Fielding in my outfit and he's a fun guy. Put my face on Noel Fielding and he's A Weirdo.
I've since switched metal tshirts for podcast tshirts, black jeans for blue, g.p. boots for steel toe workboots and the long hair for a fauxhawk. Still have RBF. Still see FIFF from grannies (and worse, bosses). Still try to say out of touch with pop culture for fear of miserable disappointment.
Whatever. I've got enough hobbies to keep me entertained. Solitude is not the same as loneliness.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday February 06 2016, @06:26AM
I have seen the RBF of the Mighty Buzzard! Oh abandon hope, all you who have gazed upon this! Medusa was a swell girl, Lot's wife had a lovely view of Soddom, but to encounter the RBF of the Mighty Buzz! Strong men have fainted. Lesser men have voided themselves. Sissy men have found themselves, well, it was not good. So here is my serious point, hidden behind the star Algol in the Constellation Perseus, with the visage of the Mighty Buzzard: why "Bitch"? Where's the dogs? OK, admittedly Resting Doggy Face (or RDF) is not as catchy, but do I detect a bit of male assholery here? Am I wrong? Are only Sad Puppies the recipients of RBFs? I am starting to suspect so. So I once again, in my best John Wayne voice, have to say, "Man up, biatches! You ain't seen nothing till you had to deal with the Mighty Buzzard Resting Bitch Face! Don't whine, you poor Sad Puppies!"
(Score: 2, Troll) by Azuma Hazuki on Saturday February 06 2016, @06:46AM
Uh...Buzzard's more pathetic than scary really, except that he votes and has probably reproduced :v
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday February 06 2016, @07:02AM
Off topic? How could this possibly be off topic? Did is bend your gender in a way you don't feel comfortable with? You have my RBF, in your face, and your evening will not be pleasant. I will try again!
I have seen the RBF of the Runaway1962! Oh abandon hope, all you who have gazed upon this! Medusa was a swell girl, Lot's wife had a lovely view of Soddom, but to encounter the RBF of the Runaway1962! Strong men have fainted. Lesser men have voided themselves. Sissy men have found themselves, well, it was not good. So here is my serious point, hidden behind the star Algol in the Constellation Perseus, with the visage of the Runaway1962: why "Bitch"? Where's the dogs? OK, admittedly Resting Doggy Face (or RDF) is not as catchy, but do I detect a bit of male assholery here? Am I wrong? Are only Sad Puppies the recipients of RBFs? I am starting to suspect so. So I once again, in my best John Wayne voice, have to say, "Man up, biatches! You ain't seen nothing till you had to deal with the Runaway1962 Resting Bitch Face! Don't whine, you poor Sad Puppies
[Hmm, who is in the queue? Azuma has already checked in, but she does not qualify. jmorris? Oh, MikeeUSA! Nothing like a pre-pubescent Resting Bitch Face to put a embarrassing excuse for a man in his place. ]
(Score: 3, Insightful) by DeathMonkey on Saturday February 06 2016, @05:53PM
Oh THANK GOD!
For a minute there I though I shared a face condition with The Buzz.
But then I realized that I'm actually just always angry.
Crisis averted!
(Score: 3, Funny) by RamiK on Saturday February 06 2016, @01:28PM
I'm grumpy, negative, overly-critical and really just a pretentious jackass.
But I have a smile stuck on my face so I mostly get away with it.
Can I have an abbreviation too? I'm thinking A.S.S: Asshole-smiley syndrome.
compiling...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday February 06 2016, @02:57PM
My local radio once had a topic on this.
Lots of people calling in about how instead of RBF they were "smileys". Everyone thinks they're up to something naughty or aren't taking things seriously.
I'll stick with the "gunna murder you" expression than some "hee hee i just did something naughty" expression.
(Score: 1) by Alias on Sunday February 07 2016, @01:37AM
You wouldn't happen to be in management, would you?
(Score: 2, Interesting) by zugedneb on Saturday February 06 2016, @03:53PM
Because star trek, both explicitly and implicitly, takes up this concept of being "too human".
Funny thought, that both Pickard (and Janeway) are minimalistic, when it comes to facial twitchings...
Is this because in the times the series were made, they did not dare to put some smiling überfag as captain, or is it because expressions in moderation still means strength to people?
Actually, do not almost all in science fiction have this type of face?
Personally, I find teh biatch in the wikipedia article really fucking sexy. I could spend all day ramming my dick into her grumpy mount... Also, her expression means awareness, presence and strength of character. But then again, I am not "too human"...
Then we have Agent Smith... I have this man crush on Agent Smith. He looks stern, strong and competent. Also, his minimal expressions, as Dance or Die once said, "puts some color on this gray".
The weak needs people who smile constantly, and behave in a friendly manner *always*.
The weak want no character, they want the mother.
They want the expressions and behavior of a mother on everyone, always.
If not, they feel insecure...
I find it sad, the human has become too human... Soon, we will all turn into worms...
Bah, who care... Mushrooms for the people!1!!!1
old saying: "a troll is a window into the soul of humanity" + also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ajax
(Score: 1) by zugedneb on Saturday February 06 2016, @03:58PM
"grumpy mouth" would it have been in a perfect world...
see, a side effect of multitasking...
playing game, reading about game strategy + trolling forum at same time makes brain confused
old saying: "a troll is a window into the soul of humanity" + also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ajax
(Score: 2) by mcgrew on Saturday February 06 2016, @07:45PM
Is this because in the times the series were made, they did not dare to put some smiling überfag as captain, or is it because expressions in moderation still means strength to people?
I see you've never served in the military.
mcgrewbooks.com mcgrew.info nooze.org
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday February 06 2016, @08:40PM
Well, make up your mind. Do they need people who smile constantly and behave in a friendly manner always, or do they want the expressions and behaviour of a mother, always. The two are mutually incompatible. No mother smiles constantly and *always* behaves in a friendly manner.
(Score: 2) by Gravis on Saturday February 06 2016, @07:14PM
someone's facial expression is known in psychology as their affect display. [wikipedia.org] someone who is "throwing shade" may actually just have a bluntted or flat affect [wikipedia.org] which just means what they are showing doesn't match what they are feeling. the cause of this is completely neural, so it should be no surprise that people with mental illness are more common to have a reduced affect. to bring this full circle, the reason people have even heard of "Resting Bitch Face" is because of popular culture focuses heavily on movie actors/celebrities which have a disproportionate number of people with mentally illness. of course now of you are wondering why so many actors have mental illness, the line between genius and madness is absurdly thin. my own theory is that mental illness is the bridge to the next of human evolution where you have the brilliance commonly associated with the mentally ill and the self-control of a normal brain.
(Score: 2) by Rich on Saturday February 06 2016, @08:55PM
How come no one yet has mentioned the legendary "Indifference" Demotivational Poster:
http://despair.com/products/indifference [despair.com]
(Score: 3, Interesting) by jasassin on Saturday February 06 2016, @09:29PM
I always used to just say, wow she really looks like a bitch. So, I started doing some testing. One time at work in the break room there was a lady probably in her mid 60's with RBF, I had to try my test. With a slight smile on my face, I said to her "Ahhh... It's been a long day, but I only got two hours left." The RBF turned into a evil harpy face and she responds "Who cares!?". My smile immediately turned into a Cheshire Cat Grin, I'm surprised my body didn't disappear.
Then one time I walked into the break room and there was another lady with RBF. I had to run the test. So I went back to my car and got a bottle of Ty Nânt (blue glass bottle of sparkling water) came walking into the break room drinking it, sure as shit the RBF lady walks up and her face contorts from the RBF into the harpy scowl "You're drinking vodka at work!?". I laughed, and showed her it was bottled water. "Oh." she says and her face reformed back into RBF.
Sure, that's only two tests... but I've got better things to do than walk around testing every RBF I see. I'm satisfied with my results, and the old peoples saying "If you keep making that face it's gonna stick like that!".
jasassin@gmail.com GPG Key ID: 0xE6462C68A9A3DB5A