Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


5

Staring at Disfigured Faces Is 'Instinctive'

Distorted or frozen features trigger a 'primal response' in viewers, scientists believe

Share

(Newser) – The stares people like face transplant patient Connie Culp deal with are likely the result of instinct rather than insensitivity, Wired reports. Scientists believe that disfigured faces flummox the screening system the brain has developed to judge whether a person poses a potential threat, causing people to become transfixed when they spot a disfigured person.

The brain stores patterns of facial expressions so that a quick glance can tell whether they may be unsafe, explained an expert. But "when a face is distorted, we have no pattern to match that," she said.

Doctors who participated in the nation's first near-total face transplant watch an animation of the procedure at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
Doctors who participated in the nation's first near-total face transplant watch an animation of the procedure at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.   (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Experts believe distorted or unmoving faces trigger a primal staring response.
Experts believe distorted or unmoving faces trigger a primal staring response.   (Shutter Stock)
Connie Culp, who underwent the first face transplant surgery in the US, speaks to the media at a news conference at the Cleveland Clinic earlier this month.
Connie Culp, who underwent the first face transplant surgery in the US, speaks to the media at a news conference at the Cleveland Clinic earlier this month.   (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

We stare. Even if you don’t want to, even if your better judgment tells you ‘I need to be nice to this person.' It goes back to a very primal thing. - Facial expression expert Erika Rosenberg

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
5 comments
VIEWING:
 
newzjunkie
May 26, 09 2:57 AM CDT
Having been a freak at 16 years old, I think this new information won't mean anything to Connie or others who are stared at. I was mocked, stared at and even stopped filled restaurants until I got settled into a booth. I had a shaved head with iodine on it, a huge neck brace that went half way down my torso and I could barely walk and my arms were stuck raised up to my chest. I had broken my neck in a car accident and was just learning to walk again. People didn't look and turn away, it was a total, in your face stare. And the waitress would say "what does it want to eat?" My mom would answer, why don't you ask it.... Anyway, nothing would have helped the fear, trauma, embarrassment and anger that came over me with each stare. Who cares what some scientists explain about why people stare... it still hurts. I wish Connie well and hope her spirits can soar above the pain and being the center of a freak show. It can strip every ounce of self esteem and damage your soul. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+4
kokuaguy
May 26, 09 3:10 AM CDT
Mahalo for sharing this story, wingz. These instinctual "first reactions" don't prevent rational, caring individuals from reaching out with warmth and compassion, "on second thought." Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+4
riffran
May 26, 09 7:53 AM CDT
why don't you ask "IT"?????.........how horrible, those people should be ashamed....having a halo and a neck brace is a medical procedure for a potentially devastating accident.....glad to hear you didn't wind op as a para or quadraplegic...desert......spinal cord injury and trauma can be quite awful........I still can't beleive the asshat that did that to poor connie got only seven years Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
newzjunkie
May 26, 09 8:28 PM CDT
Thanks for your comments, they mean a lot. It was devastating. The spinal cord injury didn't hurt as much as being mocked and stared at. I still carry the scars and after effects of both, but I don't consider myself a victim, just someone with different challenges and opportunities. Life has been a real trip. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
benbaum
May 26, 09 10:58 PM CDT
Staring at a set up nice boobs is instinctual too. However, try to argue with your girlfriend when she catches you drooling at the rack of a passerby. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

1 Story

 Face Transplant 
 Patient Forgives 
 Shooter 

Connie Culp still thinks about how she used to look, she says

May 8, 09 10:06 AM CDT
(Newser) - The woman who had the nation's first face transplant still thinks about how she looked before her husband shot her in a failed murder-suicide attempt in 2004—but she forgives him, she said in an interview today with Good Morning America. It was the smell of soap that made Connie... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Good Morning America • face transplant • Connie Culp

1 Story


Face transplant patient hopes to foster acceptance of disfgurements
The Scotsman


Science & Health 
TwitterFollow @NewserScience on Twitter

 
human evolution • face recognition • face transplant • facial expressions • Connie Culp

from our news partners