Facial Impressions Are Not Set in Stone: Voice-Driven Changes in Facial Representations Obtained via Reverse Correlation

Research has shown that face-based impressions change when integrated with valence-inconsistent voices. Yet, it remains unclear whether listening to a voice also alters mental representations of faces. We tested this possibility using reverse correlation (RC) in two preregistered experiments with Italian Prolific users. In Experiment 1 (N = 61), participants formed impressions based on negative behavioral statements about a target person (Time 1) and completed the RC task to visualize face representations (classification images). Next, they formed new impressions on valence-(in)consistent voices (Time 2) before repeating the RC task. In Experiment 2 (N = 120), participants memorized a positive or negative face at Time 1 to measure spontaneous face impressions without requiring an explicit judgment. Classification images were created only after listening to valence-(in)consistent voices at Time 2. Across both experiments, independent judges rated the images (Ntotal = 140). Valence-inconsistent voices changed the perceived valence of the mental face representations. Implications for cross-modal impression formation are discussed.