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Articles by tag "readiness to interact":
2017, 9
p. 28–37
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This article describes the findings of research on children’s preferences for interaction in relation to a change in one facial measure - increasing the distance between the inner corners of the eyes (Orbital Hypertelorism Syndrome). This modification has perceptive (related to the processing of the face as a specific object of perception), socio-psychological (related to eye contact between people) and clinical (related to genetic diseases) meanings. The hypothesis for the expected reduction in positive perceptions of faces with symptoms of orbital hypertelorism was formulated on the basis of the documented negative attitude to children with facial abnormalities (cleft lip and palate). Preschoolers (n=140) were shown pictures of children and women with both increased and normal distance between their eyes. Preschoolers expressed their willingness to play with the children and to interact with an adult as an educator choosing one of the options: consent, refuse, or indefinite answer (experiment 1); consent or refuse (experiment 2). The results did not confirm the hypothesis. Rather, the indefinite answer was the primary choice for the perception of the pictures in all three groups: boys, girls, and adult women with the facial features (experiment 1). Comparison of positive and negative answers (experiment 2) showed an equal willingness to interact with people regardless of the symptoms of orbital hypertelorism. The obtained results are interpreted as a reaction to the novelty of an atypical face, which deviates from average measures. The findings are discussed in a broad social context, including short-term contacts with strangers and special needs children with atypical facial features.
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