The value and significance of physiognomy

Facial science is a kind of knowledge in the five arts of China. It mainly judges a person's character and health from the characteristics of a person's face or body, behavior, etc., so as to predict a person's fate. Nowadays, physiognomy is integrated with Western anatomy, and it is basically divided into three qualities: heart, muscles and bones, and nutrition. From the skin to the five sense organs, tall, short, fat and thin, they can all be judged from these three qualities. And match the five senses. (If you are familiar with the three qualities, you can add the "five elements" in the Chinese phase law to classify) phase is definitely not a single argument, it must be in line with the whole, otherwise it will be out of context and judgment will be wrong.

Since ancient times, whether it is an emperor, a general or a commoner, one of the most desired things is probably to understand the hearts of the people. Because people's personality is mostly a background program rather than a visible process, people often can only rely on appearances and look for clues in the appearance of others. Even if you are suspicious of the great immortals Zhao Qian and Sun Li at the door, you may have discovered that the reliable brother who lives next door looks like a loyal and honest person. The serial killer mentioned in the newspaper yesterday was really born. A fierce and terrifying face, and the aunt in my mother's unit who was looking at the Kef-face really unfortunately hung up the two husbands. Can these facts show that reading human minds from faces is a more reliable science? What is the meaning of faces?

Face control is risky, so you need to be cautious when facing each other

In our first reaction, those "scheming and clever calculations" that accurately speculate on personality based on looks are probably often "after-the-fact" judgments, which is what psychologists call hindsight bias (hindsight bias). Before you take a good look at the reliable elder brother next door, the deeds that he said to be believed have been spread among the neighbors in the neighborhood; and when you carefully read the photos of Ma Jiajue, you have already read that this is not social. How did the teenager kill the classmates in the entire dormitory; and when you heard that the aunt of "Koff" had a misfortune in her family, you might actually think that she was kind and amiable. From this perspective, there is not much difference between the nature of looking at the face and the blood type of the constellation . When we understand a person's personality, we often use the information we already know to evaluate and explain his appearance retrospectively. American psychologists Gary W. Lewandowski Jr., Allen (Arthur Aron) and Ji (Julie Gee) once asked some male and female college students to watch some pictures of the opposite sex with character descriptions, and then let them It evaluates whether the person in the photo is attractive, and as a result, those who read photos with "good words" (such as being honest and helpful) are more likely to give a higher evaluation of the appearance of the person in the photo, and vice versa Of course. Therefore, before admiring others or your own glamorous eyes, please make sure to examine or recall whether the evaluator has done his homework consciously or unconsciously.

After reading this, you may refute: The Xiao Zhang in our office really didn't know him before, but I knew she was a smart and capable person the first time I saw her. Yes, the people believe in your judgment, but when you see Xiao Zhang on the "first side", it's not just her looks that catch your eye. At the first moment, what you see is her dress, gestures, voice and smile... and these are all empirical details that can fully reflect people's personalities. A psychology study in 1988 showed that if you dress neatly and formally, you can convey a sense of reliability to others more accurately. In another experiment, two American psychologists asked Loli and Zhengtai to watch some photos of models with different expressions and then asked the children which person they think is more respected by others and can direct others to do things. They found that even children who have not yet gone to school understand that those with serious faces and unsmiling faces are more gangsterlike. A 2009 study by several American psychologists such as Laura P. Naumann showed that compared to a standardized full-length photo, a photo that allows the person in the photo to pose freely can deliver richer and richer images. Accurate personal character information-from a freely posing photo, evaluators who are completely unfamiliar with the person in the picture can more accurately determine whether the person in the picture is introverted or extroverted, whether they are reliable or not, whether they love cramps, etc. All aspects of character. Therefore, if you decide to sacrifice the truth, you can relax and naturally, with rich dress and body language, the life picture is the best!

The research of Nauman et al. also showed that when people only observe the appearance of others and cannot see details such as facial expressions at the same time, the judgment of the other's personality is not very accurate and comprehensive. Researchers of appearance psychology, Leslie A. Z ebrowitz, Judith A. Hall, Laura A. Murphy and Gillian Rhodes also found that when people look at photos to judge When strangers are smart, their accuracy is not much better than pure guessing. Not only that, Zebrovich's research team also found that people's facial skills based on "common sense" may be quite different from the facts. For example, although people often think that children with Zhengtai face are pure and soft, in lower social classes, the rate of juvenile delinquency for baby faces is higher than that of ordinary teenagers. This is what the researcher explained: Just because the people have an obedient and weak impression of Zhengtai face teenagers, some Zhengtai faces (usually at the bottom of society) can't turn their minds, and go to fight back to prove it. Self out. Although the fewer such embarrassed children, the better, but their existence strongly shows that there are risks in face control, and you need to be cautious when facing each other.

Appearance is not the truth, society is prejudiced

However, although the eyes of the masses are not always sharp, they are not completely white. In the aforementioned study in 1988, psychologists divided many people who did not know each other into groups, and asked them to rate their own personalities and the personalities of other members of the same group who were completely unfamiliar with each other based on their appearance. , It turns out that there is a certain relationship between the personality assessment of unfamiliar group members and the self-reported personality of the assessee. Professor Nicholas O. Rule of the University of Toronto and Professor Nalini Ambady of Stanford asked people to evaluate the college graduation photos of nearly 100 people in the legal profession. They found that they looked pretty when they were young. Graduates who look like successful people will make more money in the future. In other words, observing one's words and appearances is not useless. You might also think of the old-fashioned young man recently recruited by the company. He is indeed quite mature in life; and the gentle-looking boy in the neighbor's house is really a gentle and well-behaved boy. What is going on here?

Here we are going to talk about the famous Rosenthal effect, also known as "self-fulfilling prophecy" (self-fulfilling prophecy). In other words, people often unknowingly become what others expect to become. For example, that young and mature young man, probably because of his looks, was named and appointed by the teacher as the leader of the class since he was a child. As for the beautiful girl-like little brother in the neighbor's house, his parents were reluctant to let him go crazy in the wild. They signed up for him to learn sketching early, and asked him to paint at home quietly every day. After studying the files of many people from adolescence to the age of 60, Zebrovic and others found that many young men with weak faces were not soft-hearted when they were young, but they really became unable to support them in the future. Ah Dou——It is conceivable that this is probably because the person concerned did not treat others as a real adult because of his looks when he was young, so he has the qualities that a responsible adult should have without training. Eventually became a cup.

In terms of the specific facial features, although there are studies of this kind that point out that people may have prejudice against the appearance of others, researchers have yet to find much direct empirical evidence that the specific appearance and personality of a certain part are related. relationship. Therefore, to a certain extent, we can laugh at Mr. Xiang Mian's detailed judgments. At the same time, however, a large number of empirical data show that appearance at the overall level (rather than just looking at the eyes or nose, etc.) has a very extensive impact on the development of a person's personality. Beauty can become a powerful "halo" (halo), which obscures people's judgments about other people's qualities that are not related to their appearance. In other words, the "high handsome" and "white beauty" will not only be regarded as more attractive, but also "by the way" will be regarded as having stronger work ability and better personality, so that they can go smoothly in love and work in the workplace. Eat with your face . Therefore, when we have a strong inner mind and calmly look at the mirror and do not prejudice ourselves or others because of our appearance, we can still spend a little effort to properly modify ourselves and train our body and manners, from the inside to the outside. Exudes its own unique aura.

Some scholars or scholars who failed in the literary field, or had no career career, did feel that their future was bleak, but their original intention of pursuing the wealth of the world had not changed. They chose physiognomy and conducted in-depth research as a career. In addition to solving food and clothing problems, From time to time, I look for opportunities to win the wealth that I can't get in the field.

For ordinary friends, if they think their appearance is "not desirable", they gently say a few words in exchange for a few pennies. "Selling wine for your own discretion", if you encounter a person who is "precious", then refer to the social situation at the time, judge the situation, and determine that this person has a day of development, then blindly predestined, saying "the rich and the noble is not forgotten", in order to seek In the future, it was lighted. According to (Southern History•Song Wu Di Ji", Emperor Wu of the Song Dynasty had Wei Shu, a native of Jinling who was good at Xiangshu, and Hengxiu asked him to show him to Liu Yu, the later Emperor of Song Wu, to see if he could win the prefecture. Wei Shou said to his face that Emperor Wu of Song could be the provincial governor, and secretly told Emperor Wu of Song that "the monarch is precious and cannot be said". Emperor Wu of Song understood his mind and smiled and said, "If you are in the middle, you should be Sima." Emperor Wu of Song was really serious. After going to the emperor, Wei Sou immediately came to the door to demand fulfillment of the previous agreement, saying, "The king will live up to Tongye's words, and the public should not forget Sima's education. Today, I dare not ask for Sima to be the leader, and I am willing to lead the army. "Emperor Song Wu saw him begging for nothing, so he had no choice but to keep his promise. Wei Sou's cheeky bargaining rogue appearance is a wonderful portrayal of this type of physicist.

Of course, there are very few sages who "coincidentally meet the emperor of the dragon". Most sage sages have either opened pavilions or rattled tambourine drums to show them to the general public. This kind of people has a rough fate and suffers from the scorching state of the world. They have the most members and the worst treatment in the sage class; because they live at the bottom of the society and "read countless people", this kind of sages gradually become immoral, rebellious, and quibbling. The rascals, using the world’s superstition, rely on a three-inch tongue, and unscrupulously ask for life money. Mr. Lu Xun once drew portraits of such physicists. He said that “for the patrons, there are very few who are willing to conclude that they are poor to the end. Even if they do, everyone’s doctrines cannot be consistent. A said to be poor. But B said to be rich, which makes the poor unsure of his future destiny.” Seeing "Lace Literature", the scholar is just trying to figure out people's desire to change their destiny, abandon the poor and become rich, talk smartly, and teach ignorant people to give money. We might as well take a look at the faces of such sages through a typical case.

It is said that in modern times, there was a big fortune in Huangmei County in eastern Hubei. In order to save billions of money, he wanted to find a backer in the army, so he sent his two sons to the army. It is a pity that the two sons have a bad life and have not been mixed for a long time. What a fame. Yang Wanwan had no choice but to ask the local xiangshisai Liu Ji to look for a young man with a good fate to be his son, and continue to send him to serve in the army. Sai Liuji soon found a young man named Su Chenglong and praised his fate as a man of great value. What does Liu Ji say about this match?

Sai Liuji pointed to the zodiac map and said: "Let’s start with Su Chenglong’s fate and wealth-the fate palace is on the roots between the two eyebrows. This palace is most suitable for prosperity and flatness, if the Five Sacred Mountains are added to it. Returning, three stops, and full, you can forever protect your life, and you will be promoted. Among the five mountains, Zhongyue is the most respected, and must be high and prosperous. It should be auspicious for both the east and the west. Of course, Su Chenglong is like this. Of course, Even though the five mountains are high and steep, but without water, they are not beautiful. Therefore, Sidu must be deeply hidden and clean, and only the noble appearance, and Su Chenglong’s Sidu are all deeply hidden and clean. Look at his five-star, six-yao, three-cai, and three-stop, he They are all upright, and everywhere show that he is a noble face. There is a secret: Venus in the left ear needs to be white, and the official will eventually win: the mouth is Mercury and must be red, and the noble is three public; the forehead is wide and the beard is flat and full, and the official Lu Zao Zao Companion... The most special thing about him is the Yue Rune pattern in his palm..." He said, turning over a few pages of "The Secret of Phenomenon", pointing to the palm pictures, and continuing to say; "This It is a twenty-four palm pattern. This is the'printed pattern', and the main body is printed as Taishi. There is a tactic: the palm pattern is like a pattern, and the future is in harmony with the Lord and has fame. Mo Yan is not my wish to be wealthy and clear. The famous masterpiece Shangqing. This is the'soldier rune pattern, which was used by Chen Ping in the past, and it was in the palm of Su Chenglong. Jueyun's soldier rune pattern appears in the center of the palm, and it is a young man who is the longest leader of the line. Responding to power and position, the merits have gone down in history and become famous"!

Yang Wanwan, the debater in physiognomy, listened to Sai Liu Ji's words, his heart was really happy, he was nervous, and sent Su Chenglong to Wu Peifu's army. However, three years later, Su Chenglong was still a deputy battalion commander, and Yang Baiwan stomped in anxious manner. To make matters worse, it didn't take long before Su Longcheng ran back with a walking stick, and he was dying. Yang Baiwan stared at him with anger, and quickly asked Jia Ding to find Sai Liu Ji, grabbing Sai Liu Ji's chest in a huff, and roaring: "What do you have to put away! You pay back my five hundred yuan." Come on!"

Liu Ji went through a lot of scenes in this match. Where do you put Yang Wanwan in your eyes? He pointed to Yang Wanwan's hand, and said loudly, "What are you worried about! My physiognomy can't be wrong. The big deal is that the time limit for his fortune is too dead!" Liu Bei of the Three Kingdoms has two ears and two hands. Over the knee, he is a rich and noble master from the perspective of the law, but before he met Zhuge Liang, he was so useless! Later, he was assisted by Zhuge Liang, only changed two times a day, and finally became a monarch... As the saying goes, hits are sometimes convenient. Yes. Fate is always demanding. Su Chenglong is destined to become a big climate, but you make him mistake Wu Peifu's big straw bag! If it were to be cast under Zhang Zuolin's name, it would end like this? You spent 500 yuan in vain. It cannot be said that Su Chenglong’s appearance is not good, and it is not that my physiognomy is not good, but that your destiny is not good..."

Look, what a brilliant debater! Sai Liu Ji's talk about the ancient and the present, he excused himself to a thousand and two, but on the contrary, he said that the fate of the angry Yang million who spent five hundred yuan on the head. Bad. It's really arrogant and arrogant. Sure enough, Yang Baiwan was stunned by him. Seeing that his face had changed, Sai Liuji changed his tone and said, "Of course, you don't have to spend money on him again immediately. Let me show him the picture again. If his camera hasn't changed, then It's not too late." The matter has reached this stage, and of course Yang Wanwan is the only one who can hear him. He said in a very peaceful tone. Yes, please go and see again, lest you throw money in the water again!"

Sai Liu Ji can be said to be a typical representative of this kind of slick and mellow Sangshi. In their view, as long as they can get the money, they don’t need any face, image, or personality. They are arrogant, begging, alarmist, backlash, and ostentatious. They have a variety of tactics and scheming. What is ridiculous is that there are many Yang million people who seem to understand the principles of physiognomy and are extremely superstitious. Such xiangshi always has a business to "talk". The Yang million people spend money, and what they buy is a deceit. , But I would also like to thank the Xiangshi Xiangshi for snickering in every possible way, no effort is needed, a few money will be handed; the friends are also happy, but they cost a few money, but they make a good face. In this way of the world, how can Xiangshu not be prosperous?

This kind of physicist is favored and respected by the ruling class, and naturally he is not spoiled and leads an elegant and comfortable life. The general government officials are even more in awe of them. How dare they offend a little? Because their own life and future are likely to be hung in the mouth of Master Xiang, why not ingratiate themselves? But with the kind words of Master Xiang, it is natural that there is no official. Officials and junior officials are on the next level. Being a master is so uncomfortable. In order to avoid bad luck in official careers, ordinary officials often find a magnate as a political helper. This type of magnate is almost a big steward. .

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