The Impact of Facial Smoothness on Cooperative Intentions and Behaviors: The Mediating Role of Facial Trustworthiness

Tan Jingbin; Wang Shengyuan; Jin Zehui; Gao Dingguo

doi:10.16719/j.cnki.1671-6981.20250207

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Journal of Psychological Science ›› 2025, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (2) : 334-345. DOI: 10.16719/j.cnki.1671-6981.20250207

General Psychology, Experimental Psychology & Ergonomics

The Impact of Facial Smoothness on Cooperative Intentions and Behaviors: The Mediating Role of Facial Trustworthiness

Tan Jingbin¹, Wang Shengyuan¹, Jin Zehui¹, Gao Dingguo^1,2

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Abstract

Cooperation, defined as the act of working together toward a shared goal, inherently involves balancing competing individual and collective interests—the core of cooperative dilemmas. Biological market theory posits that partner selection in cooperative contexts depends on three key factors: perceived capacity to provide benefits, willingness to cooperate, and accessibility. Facial cues, particularly attractiveness and trustworthiness, serve as heuristic indicators of these cooperative qualities. In the digital era, the widespread use of photo beautification tools and the increasing prevalence of online collaboration platforms have created new opportunities for curated self-presentation. This convergence raises critical questions about how photo beautification influences cooperative dynamics—a gap this study seeks to address by examining facial skin smoothing, one of the most commonly used photo-editing techniques. While moderate skin smoothing enhances perceived attractiveness and trustworthiness by creating a more polished appearance, excessive editing may paradoxically undermine these qualities by reducing perceived naturalness.

Key words

facial smoothness / cooperation / facial attractiveness / facial trustworthiness

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Tan Jingbin, Wang Shengyuan, Jin Zehui, Gao Dingguo. The Impact of Facial Smoothness on Cooperative Intentions and Behaviors: The Mediating Role of Facial Trustworthiness[J]. Journal of Psychological Science. 2025, 48(2): 334-345 https://doi.org/10.16719/j.cnki.1671-6981.20250207

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