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Visual cues to female physical attractiveness
M J Tovée1, D S Maisey, J L Emery
1Department of Psychology, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. m.j.tovee@ncl.ac.uk
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|March 31, 1999
Summary
Female attractiveness is primarily determined by body mass index (BMI), not waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Visual cues like perimeter-area ratio (PAR) can reliably indicate BMI for partner selection.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Human Sexuality
- Anthropometry
Background:
- Evolutionary psychology posits female attractiveness signals health and fertility.
- Research has emphasized the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) as a key attractiveness cue.
- A low WHR is traditionally linked to higher fertility and perceived attractiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the primary determinant of female sexual attractiveness.
- To re-evaluate the role of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) versus body mass index (BMI).
- To explore reliable visual cues for assessing BMI in potential partners.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing research on female attractiveness cues.
- Statistical evaluation of the predictive power of BMI and WHR on attractiveness.
- Examination of visual indices like perimeter-area ratio (PAR) for BMI estimation.
Main Results:
- Body mass index (BMI) is a stronger predictor of female attractiveness than WHR.
- Covariation between apparent BMI and WHR previously overestimated WHR's importance.
- Perimeter-area ratio (PAR) serves as a reliable visual indicator of an individual's BMI.
Conclusions:
- BMI, reflecting health and reproductive potential, is the primary driver of female attractiveness.
- The influence of WHR on attractiveness has been overstated due to methodological factors.
- Visual cues such as PAR offer a practical method for assessing BMI and, by extension, attractiveness.
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