Facially Expressive People are More Popular in Newly Formed Groups

A Social Network Analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID21475729
AuthorsAlisa Balabanova (0009-0001-0226-2288, Nottingham Trent University, corresponding author), Eithne Kavanagh (0000-0001-7202-005X, Nottingham Trent University), Tom Kupfer (Nottingham Trent University), Bridget Waller (Nottingham Trent University)
Year2026
Volume50
Issue2
Pages233-253
Publication date2026-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Nonverbal Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0191-5886 • E-ISSN: 1573-3653
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s10919-026-00514-6
PMID42292163
OpenAlexW7156026414
LanguageEN
References cited75

Facial expression has been proposed as a key mechanism in forming and maintaining social relationships. Humans have particularly expressive faces, but direct evidence linking individual level expressivity to group-level social bonding is limited. Here we examined whether spontaneous facial expressivity impacts social popularity during initial group formation. Participants (72 groups, N = 256) engaged in unstructured online interactions in small groups with strangers during which facial behaviour was quantified using automated analysis. Social popularity was measured by calculating social network indices based on relative liking. More facially expressive individuals were rated as warmer and more cooperative, and occupied more central positions in the group social network. In contrast, facial attractiveness did not predict social standing. These findings support the hypothesis that facial expressivity functions to promote cooperative relationships during group formation

Attractiveness · Expressivity · Facial expression · Popularity · Social group · Social perception · Social relation · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · Face Recognition and Perception · Personality Traits and Psychology

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