A.C. Little, D.M. Burt, I.S. Penton-Voak and D.I. Perrett (2001). Self-perceived

attractiveness influences human female preferences for sexual dimorphism and

symmetry in male faces. Royal Society, 39-44

By Stephanie Anyakwo, Adrienne Paglinawan, and Chad Walsh

Introduction

The importance of facial symmetry and masculinity females observe when choosing mates.

Phenotypic vs. Genotypic Characteristics High and Low preferences when considering

long term and short term relationships

Introduction cont.

Researchers conducted the experiment using two groups

(a) Preference for masculinity & (b) Preference for symmetry

Hypothesis: That high market females =high market male attraction and low market females = low market male attraction

MethodsPreference for Masculinity

Participants Sixty-six female participants (ages 16-39) who judged faces for long-term relationships 115 female participants (ages 17-39) judged faces for a short-term relationship.

Procedure The participants were presented with five face-sequence trials in random order followed by a questionnaire. the participants were to make judgments based on either short-term or long term relationships and were to alter the

faces until they thought that it was the closest to the appearance they found attractive.

Preference for SymmetryParticipants Ninety female participants (ages 17-39) who took part in a study over the internet

Procedure The subjects were presented with two images of the same individual, an original photo

and a photo that was symmetrically remapped and they were to pick which image they found more attractive.

Results

Self-rated Physical attractiveness and preference for masculinity Overall, females preference for masculinity depended on long term relationships Participant age was found to be significantly related to a preference for masculinity in male

faces. A significant effect of self-rated attractiveness was found for masculinity preference when

judging for a long-term relationship. No significant effect of self-rated attractiveness was found for masculinity preference for

short-term relationships.

Self-rated physical attractiveness and preference for symmetry females were found to prefer symmetry in males faces more than they preferred symmetry

in female faces. A significant effect of self-rated attractiveness on a preference for symmetry in male faces

was found No effect of self-rated attractiveness was found for a preference for symmetry in female

faces.

Discussion

In the current study, women who rate themselves as attractive show increased interest in males displaying more symmetrical and masculine facial features.

This preference was only shown by females when they were judging for a long term relationship.

This preference was only relevant to mate choice Highly attractive females may aim to maximize phenotypic quality in

their prospective mate, while less attractive females may aim to maximize their reproductive success via picking a mate who would be more likely to invest resources.

High quality males are more likely to pursue extra mating opportunities Thornhill and Gangestad (1994)

High quality males have also been linked to lower parental investment Perret et al (1998).

Conclusion

Females who rate themselves high on attractiveness showed increased interest in males who displayed greater phenotypic qualities i.e. symmetry and masculinity.

Females who rate themselves lower on attractiveness showed little interest in high quality males displaying masculine and symmetrical traits. Perhaps instead looking for signs of increased investment.

Article Critique

Informative In certain species bi parental care, high

quality males invest in each females than males of lower phenotypic quality.

It may be adaptive for females in poor conditions to show a preference for males displaying cues to relatively poor heritable parasite resistance.

Condition-dependent mate choice suggests that humans might show preferences based on condition or self perceptions of their value as mates

Problems/Weak Cases The study maybe culturally biased as it

only used faces (Male and female) of Japanese men and Caucasian men and women.

Confusing how the study points out in the discussion that self-rated attractiveness is not the only factor of mate value, but it failed to state the other factors and how it correlates with other-rated attractiveness.

The self report measure of attractiveness had limited range. No participants selected “5” when describing themselves, and few selected “1”. Perhaps increasing the selection options could make the scale more sensitive.

Time for Q & A

__________ is found attractive by females. Males and females will gravitate towards partners of _______ immune system quality. High quality females are looking for genes, while low quality females are looking for

________? The preference for masculine and symmetrical males faces was only relevant to

________– Long term relationships– Short term relationships– Mate choice

High quality males have been linked to ___________– Nice shoes– Lower parental investment– Increased fidelity

The main topic of the current study was– Fishing– Female mate preferences– Male symmetry – All of the above