Effect of Protruding Ears on Visual Fixation Time and Perception of Personality
Abstract
Importance Protruding ears are often thought to be a stigma, supposedly drawing attention and negatively influencing the perception of personality. These purported negative effects that may indicate corrective aesthetic otoplasty in patients too young to provide informed consent have not been quantified. Objective To quantify attention directed toward protruding ears and its effect on the perception of selected personality traits. Design, setting, and participants In this observational study conducted from August 1, 2013, to October 31, 2013, visual scan paths were recorded of 20 lay observers looking at photographs of faces of 20 children (age range, 5-19 years) with either protruding ears or ears morphed via computer software to appear nonprotruding. Subsequently, the observers rated 10 perceived personality traits based on the same photographs. Main outcomes and measures Visual fixation time on protruding vs nonprotruding ears was compared and correlated with observers' scores for personality traits. Results Fixation time on protruding ears was significantly longer compared with that for morphed nonprotruding ears (mean [SD], 9.6% [5.6%] vs 5.8% [3.2%] of total fixation time, P = .04). The difference between the overall personality questionnaire scores and between individual scores for assiduousness, intelligence, and likeability was not significant for protruding and nonprotruding ears. Faces in which the protruding auricles received the highest percentage of visual atten…
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Protruding ears attract visual attention, but do not affect perceived intelligence or likability.
“Protruding ears attract visual attention, but do not affect perceived intelligence or likability.74”
From Otoplasty Surgical Techniques and Clinical Outcomes: A Practical Review (2026) · cites this paper as [74]
Nonsurgical approaches, such as newborn auricular molding, leverage early cartilage plasticity with promising outcomes.
“Nonsurgical approaches, such as newborn auricular molding, leverage early cartilage plasticity with promising outcomes.70–73”
From Otoplasty Surgical Techniques and Clinical Outcomes: A Practical Review (2026) · cites this paper as [73]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Litschel, R., Majoor, J., & Tasman, A.-J.
- Affiliations
- Kantonsspital St. Gallen (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Tasman, Abel-Jan
- ORCID
- Tasman, Abel-Jan
- Venue
- JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2015-05
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 183-189
- ISSN
- 2168-6076 (ISSN-L)
- 2168-6092
- OpenAlex
- W2101453105
- Cited by
- 23
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2
- FWCI
- 4.03
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Update notices
- correction (2015-05-21)
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Reconstructive Facial Surgery Techniques
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Face Recognition and Perception
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
- Keywords
- protruding ears, otoplasty, facial attractiveness, perceived personality traits, social stigma, children, face perception, likeability, intelligence perception
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, Ear, External, Eye Movements, Female, Humans, Male, Personality, Photography, Social Perception, Young Adult
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