Publication Date
2025
Description
Some past research indicates that facial symmetry increases ratings of attractiveness. However, more recent research finds that facial symmetry does not affect ratings of men's attractiveness, or is not an important component of men's facial attractiveness. But, prior research has not examined whether facial symmetry affects evolutionary trait ratings. The present research sought to fill that dearth by investigating whether male facial symmetry influences women's ratings of men's attractiveness and evolutionary traits. No significant effects for facial symmetry occurred. However, there were significant effects for ratings of evolutionary traits regardless of facial symmetry. Of the 19 traits, the traits: status, successful, socially competent, healthy, and intelligent were rated highest overall. These findings add to the recent research that challenges symmetry as a determinant of evolutionary fitness consciously attended to by perceivers.
Journal
EvoS Journal: Evolutionary Studies and Higher Education
First Page
43
Last Page
51
Department
Psychology
Open Access
Full text attached
Link to Published Version
https://evostudies.org/about-face-does-mens-facial-symmetry-affect-evolutionary-trait-ratings/
Recommended Citation
Kelly, Emma G. and Wade, T. Joel. "About face: Does men’s facial symmetry affect evolutionary trait ratings?." (2025) : 43-51.