If you often look annoyed or unhappy, there’s a scientific reason.
Scientists have confirmed that “resting bitch face” (RBF) is accurate, and research helps explain the reason why.
In October 2015, Abbe Macbeth and Jason Rogers, from Noldus Information Technology, used FaceReader software to study the faces of famous people like Kanye West, Kristen Stewart, Anna Kendrick, and Queen Elizabeth II.
These celebrities are known for often looking less-than-happy.
“We wanted to see if there was anything unusual,” said Macbeth. “Our software doesn’t have the same bias as people.”
The study found that celebrities with bored or annoyed looks showed hidden emotions.
Face Reading
Scientists use a neutral photo of a person without a smile and analyze it with FaceReader software, which detects subtle emotional traces.
The software finds that a face looks neutral 97% of the time. The remaining 3% reveals hidden emotions, like sadness, happiness, or anger, explained Macbeth.
For people with “resting bitch face” (RBF), that small percentage doubles, showing around 6% of underlying emotions.
Most of this emotion is contempt, the feeling that something is unworthy or deserves scorn.
Small details, such as a slightly pulled-back lip or squinting eyes, can be seen as signs of contempt, according to Macbeth.
For example, celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Blake Lively often have neutral expressions.
But even though their faces appear neutral, many people still perceive their expressions as happy.
Does having RBF mean you’re secretly holding back anger or frustration? Are there deeper feelings you need to deal with?
According to Macbeth, it’s not that simple, and there’s no definite answer yet.
Cultural and gender biases can affect how people view RBF. For example, Eastern Europeans are often seen as severe or emotionless, and most people with RBF tend to be women, Macbeth explained.
A street art project encourages people to “stop telling women to smile.”
Macbeth and Rogers, experts in behavioral neuroscience, want to take their research further.
They aim to determine why some people have RBF and what it reveals about their psychology. More importantly, they’re curious why others respond negatively to it.
“We’ve all heard people being told to smile more. There’s something on their face that shows up, even when they think they look neutral,” Macbeth said.
RBF became widely known after a meme went viral in 2013. A funny fake public service announcement on “Bitchy Resting Face” also helped make the term popular.
Is RBF a real phenomenon
According to David B. Givens from the Center for Nonverbal Studies, RBF is a real issue.
He refers to it as a “blank face.” His research shows that people often see neutral expressions as “unfriendly.”
Anthony S. Youn, a plastic surgeon in Detroit with RBF, believes it results from several factors.
He says, “Gravity and genetics can pull our mouths down. As we age, our skin loosens, creating a permanent frown.”
Youn questions whether software can accurately detect emotions linked to RBF. He states, “I don’t think they can tell if it’s true sadness or bitterness. I have RBF, but that doesn’t mean I’m unhappy.”
Studies suggest that smiling can improve happiness. “Our facial expressions can influence our mood,” Youn added.
Many people are curious about having RBF. Since a recent announcement, Noldus Information Technology has received over 150 photos from people wanting to know.
You can also look at your family for clues. Youn notes, “If your parents have RBF, you’re likely to have it too.”
If you worry that you have RBF, you can send your photo to Noldus to find out.
