Buzz
Scroll through Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media platform filled with photos, and you'll likely spot a pattern in people's body language. When faced with a camera, some individuals instinctively tilt their heads to one side. It seems to be an automatic gesture, so common that you might not even find it odd.
Interestingly, this behavior isn't new. In fact, it dates back even before the camera was invented.
This behavior is referred to as head canting, where the head tilts to one side vertically, causing your forehead to no longer align with your shoulders. Picture a horizontal line stretching from your forehead over your eyebrows—when head canting occurs, this line is no longer parallel. (Alternatively, imagine a curious dog, and you'll get the idea.)
In 2001, a team of researchers from the University of Bologna embarked on a study to investigate the phenomenon. Their findings were published in a paper in the European Psychologist, where they referenced earlier studies suggesting that head canting could either be a submissive gesture or a way of conveying complacency. The research team aimed to explore the frequency of this behavior and the reactions it elicited from others.
For this study, 51 women and 28 men were recruited from the university and brought into a room under the pretense that photos would be taken. The actual reason for their participation was not disclosed. Once left alone in the room, the researchers took photographs remotely. Of the 79 participants, 55—71 percent—tilted their heads in either direction without any instruction. Only one-third of the group maintained a neutral, stiff-necked posture.
The researchers then asked the participants to evaluate their own attractiveness, as well as the attractiveness of others, based on the photographs taken. The images in which participants exhibited head canting were rated higher than those in which no canting was visible.
Clearly, head canting may be seen as a positive gesture by the viewer—perhaps interpreted as a sign of friendliness or reduced threat. But is this the true reason for doing it? The study's authors suggest that the act of canting one's head may be an involuntary response to discomfort while being photographed.
This phenomenon is not limited to photographs. A 2001 paper in the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior examined 1,498 paintings of human figures from the 14th to the 20th centuries. The study found that head canting appeared in nearly half of these paintings. Interestingly, it was most frequently seen in depictions of younger individuals and absent in portraits of nobility or royalty. Furthermore, a 2016 analysis discovered that robots depicted with head canting were perceived as more likable and less frightening compared to those with rigid poses, lending support to the idea that canting might be perceived as a submissive posture.
Certain instances of head canting are deliberate. Professional photographers often advise their subjects to tilt their heads, thinking it enhances the jawline or tightens the skin. While it's difficult to scientifically prove whether we do this to enhance our appearance or to convey a sense of agreeableness, it undeniably plays a role in the interaction between the photographer and the person being photographed.
If you find yourself canting your head when there's no camera or phone in sight, it might not be due to vanity: Some individuals tilt their heads because of binocular visual dysfunction, which occurs when the eyes are misaligned. If you're experiencing headaches along with the tilting, it might be a good idea to consult an eye doctor.
