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Mixed-ethnicity face shape and attractiveness in humans
Anthony C Little1, Kimberley J Hockings, Coren L Apicella
1School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4PA, UK. anthony.little@stir.ac.uk
Perception
|April 17, 2013
Summary
Facial attractiveness judgments show cross-cultural agreement, but specific traits vary. This study found mixed-ethnicity facial features were preferred across European and African populations, suggesting a universal preference for genetic diversity.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary psychology
- Human facial attractiveness
- Cross-cultural studies
Background:
- General judgments of facial attractiveness are consistent across cultures.
- Specific facial traits like symmetry, averageness, and masculinity show cross-cultural variations.
- Heterozygosity, indicated by mixed-ethnicity cues, is hypothesized to be universally attractive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cross-cultural preferences for facial attractiveness related to ethnicity.
- To test the hypothesis that cues to mixed-ethnicity are universally preferred.
- To explore the link between facial attractiveness and genetic diversity.
Main Methods:
- Manipulation of facial shapes to represent different ethnic populations.
- Assessment of attractiveness ratings for manipulated faces in European (British) and African (Guinea-Bissau) participants.
- Comparison of attractiveness judgments for mixed-ethnicity versus single-ethnicity face shapes.
Main Results:
- Mixed-ethnicity face shapes were rated as more attractive than enhanced single-ethnicity face shapes in both European and African samples.
- This preference for mixed-ethnicity faces was consistent across the two diverse populations studied.
- Facial cues indicating mixed-ethnicity were perceived as more attractive than those indicating a single population.
Conclusions:
- The findings support evolutionary theories linking mate preference to genetic diversity.
- Facial cues to mixed-ethnicity may signal advantageous genetic diversity, leading to universal attractiveness.
- Preferences for heterozygosity, reflected in mixed-ethnicity facial features, appear to be a cross-cultural phenomenon.
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