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Observers do not perceive negative personality traits in children with protruding ears

Using eye-tracking software, researchers concluded that although protruding ears in children drew the attention of viewers, they did not cause a negative perception of personality traits.

Visual scan paths were recorded from 20 observers viewing facial photographs of 20 children between the ages of 5 and 19 years who had either protruding ears or ears that were computer-edited to appear nonprotruding. Based on the same photographs, the observers assessed the children's perceived personality traits through the use of a questionnaire.

The mean visual fixation time for protruding ears was significantly longer than for nonprotruding ears (9.6% vs. 5.8%), according to the researchers. However, the researchers found no significant difference between the sum of personality questionnaire scores for children with protruding and nonprotruding ears.

"In light of these findings, the relevance of protruding ears as a negative stigma regarding perceived personality traits may be considered less-pronounced than purported in the literature" the researchers concluded. - by Abigail Sutton

Disclosures: The authors reported no financial disclosures.