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Symmetry, sexual dimorphism in facial proportions and male facial attractiveness

Penton-Voak, I.S.; Jones, B.C.; Little, A.C.; Baker, S.; Tiddeman, B.; Burt, D.M.; Perrett, D.I.

Authors

I.S. Penton-Voak

B.C. Jones

A.C. Little

S. Baker

B. Tiddeman

D.I. Perrett



Abstract

Facial symmetry has been proposed as a marker of developmental stability that may be important in human mate choice. Several studies have demonstrated positive relationships between facial symmetry and attractiveness. It was recently proposed that symmetry is not a primary cue to facial attractiveness, as symmetrical faces remain attractive even when presented as half faces (with no cues to symmetry). Facial sexual dimorphisms ('masculinity') have been suggested as a possible cue that may covary with symmetry in men following data on trait size/symmetry relationships in other species. Here, we use real and computer graphic male faces in order to demonstrate that (i) symmetric faces are more attractive, but not reliably more masculine than less symmetric faces and (ii) that symmetric faces possess characteristics that are attractive independent of symmetry, but that these characteristics remain at present undefined.

Citation

Penton-Voak, I., Jones, B., Little, A., Baker, S., Tiddeman, B., Burt, D., & Perrett, D. (2001). Symmetry, sexual dimorphism in facial proportions and male facial attractiveness. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences, 268, 1617-1623

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2001
Journal Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences.
Print ISSN 0080-4649
Electronic ISSN 2053-9193
Volume 268
Pages 1617-1623
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1599068