Fertility affects asymmetry detection not symmetry preference in assessments of 3D facial attractiveness

Lewis, Michael B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5735-5318 2017. Fertility affects asymmetry detection not symmetry preference in assessments of 3D facial attractiveness. Cognition 166 , pp. 130-138. 10.1016/j.cognition.2017.05.034

Preview

PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (533kB) | Preview

Abstract

Consistent with theories from evolutionary psychology, facial symmetry correlates with attractiveness. Further, the preference for symmetrical faces appears to be affected by fertility in women. One limitation of previous research is that faces are often symmetrically lit frontviews and so symmetry can be assessed using 2D pictorial information. Another limitation is that two-alternative-forced-choice (2afc) tasks are often used to assess symmetry preference and these cannot distinguish between differences in preference for symmetry and differences in ability of asymmetry detection. The current study used three tasks to assess the effects of facial symmetry: attractiveness ratings, 2afc preference and asymmetry detection. To break the link between 2D pictorial symmetry and facial symmetry, 3D computer generated heads were used with asymmetrical lighting and yaw rotation. Facial symmetry correlated with attractiveness even under more naturalistic viewing conditions. Path analysis indicates that the link between fertility and 2afc symmetry preference is mediated by asymmetry detection not increased preference for symmetry. The existing literature on symmetry preference and attractiveness is reinterpreted in terms of differences in asymmetry detection.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Facial symmetry; Facial attractiveness; Menstrual cycle; Hormones; Mate choice
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0010-0277
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	23 May 2017
Date of Acceptance:	23 May 2017
Last Modified:	11 Nov 2023 11:24
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/100781

Citation Data

Cited 8 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item