The Biology of Facial Beauty

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Biology of Facial Beauty International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005, 27,317–325 The biology of facial beauty B. Fink* and N. Neave *Department for Sociobiology/Anthropology, Institute for Zoology & Anthropology, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany and Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology and Sport Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K. Received 17 May 2005, Accepted 14 September 2005 Keywords: attractiveness, beauty, evolutionary psychology, face, humans, mate choice e´volue´ et jugent attrayants certains traits corporels Synopsis parce que ces traits sont ceux de personnes en It was once widely believed that standards of bonne sante´. Nous verrons dans cet article quel- beauty were arbitrarily variable. Recent research ques principes fondamentaux de la the´orie de la suggests, however, that people’s views of facial se´lection sexuelle qui s’appliquent a` la beaute´ attractiveness are remarkably consistent, regard- humaine et nous re´sumerons les principales de´cou- less of race, nationality or age. Facial characteris- vertes dans la perception de la beaute´ humaine. tics are known to influence human attractiveness judgements and evolutionary psychologists suggest Introduction that these characteristics all pertain to health, leading to the conclusion that humans have Human assessments of beauty and human beauty evolved to view certain bodily features as attract- standards have attracted considerable attention in ive because the features were displayed by healthy recent years, not least by cosmetic companies, others. Here we review some of the fundamental plastic surgeons and scientists. A beautiful human principles of sexual selection theory that apply to face provides the receiver with pleasurable feelings human beauty and summarize the major findings mediated by the brain’s dopaminergic reward sys- of human beauty perception. tem, especially when that face is staring directly at you [1]. In a seminal early study Dion et al. [2] showed that positive qualities are ascribed to Re´ sume´ attractive people and negative qualities to unat- Autrefois, l’ide´e que les standards de la beaute´ tractive people. More recently, Langlois et al. [3] varient de fac¸on arbitraire e´taient largement demonstrated that attractive children and adults re´pandue. Toutefois, de re´centes recherches sug- are judged more positively than unattractive chil- ge`rent que l’avis des gens sur l’attrait d’un visage dren and adults. A common notion however est remarquablement concordant inde´pendamment remains that ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ de la race, de la nationalite´ ou de l’aˆge. Les and some feminist writers even dispute that beauty caracte´ristiques faciales sont connues pour influ- is an objective quality [4]. In contrast, evolution- encer les jugements sur l’attrait humain et les ary psychologists criticize the idea that beauty psychologues de l’e´volution sugge`rent que ces reflects some arbitrary cultural convention, such caracte`ristiques rele`vent toutes de la sante´. Ceci scientists note that while some aspects of judge- conduit a` la conclusion que les humains ont ments may reflect cultural conventions, the geo- metric features of the human face that give rise to Correspondence: Bernhard Fink, Department for Socio- perceptions of beauty may reflect universal adapta- biology/Anthropology, Institute for Zoology & Anthro- pology, University of Goettingen, Berliner Strasse 28, tions. Human beauty standards may thus reflect D-37073 Goettingen, Germany. Tel.: +49 551 39 9344; culture-independent psychological adaptations fax: +49 551 39 7299; e-mail: bernhard.fi[email protected] reflecting mate choice characteristics (Fig. 1) [5]. ª 2005 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Socie´te´ Franc¸aise de Cosme´tologie 317 The biology of facial beauty B. Fink and N. Neave Figure 1 Beauty standards may vary between the cultures, but dif- ferent ethnic groups seem to share a common attractiveness standard based upon biological rules. The faces are generated by means of digital image morphing technique and illustrate the universality of beauty without ethnic boundaries (Image courtesy: Karl Grammer, LBI for Urban Ethology). Although beauty standards may vary between Sexual selection, health and beauty cultures and between times, several studies have shown that members of different ethnic groups Parasites and diseases have played an important share common attractiveness standards. For exam- role in human evolution, as they exert tremendous ple, Cunningham et al. [6] asked males from differ- selection pressures on their hosts by reducing their ent ethnic backgrounds to judge the attractiveness longevity and reproductive success. It has been of females from same and different racial groups. known for a long time that individuals differ in Mean ratings were highly positively correlated and their susceptibility to parasites because of genetic- such ratings did not appear to be influenced by ally determined host resistance, and sexual selec- exposure to Western media. In a meta-analytic tion for healthy partners would obviously provide review, Langlois et al. [3] demonstrated that choosy individuals with potentially important fit- within and between cultures, raters strongly agree ness benefits in terms of resistant offspring [8]. about who is and who is not attractive. The simi- Parasite-mediated sexual selection may benefit larity of such cross-cultural perceptions suggests choosy individuals by preventing them from that beauty standards are innate, a view streng- obtaining mates with contagious parasites that thened by studies demonstrating that human could spread both to themselves and their off- infants show strong preferences for attractive spring, obtaining mates that are efficient parents, faces. In one such study, Langlois et al. [7] utilized and obtaining mates that are genetically resistant a standard visual preference technique with to parasites [9]. infants aged 2–3 and 6–8 months old. In this Hosts may reliably avoid the debilitating effects method the infants were shown pairs of faces pre- of parasites by evolving efficient immune defences, viously rated for attractiveness – an attractive face and the immune system in humans is one of the was always paired with an unattractive face. Both energetically most costly, only equalled by that of groups of infants looked significantly longer at the the brain. Immune defence may play a role in host more attractive face of the two. Hence, the constit- sexual selection because secondary sexual charac- uents of beauty seem to be neither arbitrary nor ters may reliably reflect the immunocompetence of culture bound but may reflect underlying biologi- individuals [10]. Many secondary sexual charac- cal selection pressures that may have shaped these ters develop under the influence of testosterone standards. The high consensus of people’s judge- and other sex hormones. However, hormones have ments of facial attractiveness is consistent with the antagonistic effects on the functioning of the theory of biologically based standards of beauty. immune system [10–12], and only individuals in 318 ª 2005 International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 27,317–325 The biology of facial beauty B. Fink and N. Neave prime condition may be able to develop the most to Morris [20], flawless skin is the most univer- extravagant secondary sexual characters without sally desired human feature and human males compromising their ability to raise efficient are expected to be most sexually attracted to immune defences. female skin that is free of lesions, eruptions, In the human face the basic proportions are warts, moulds, cysts, tumours, acne and hirsu- sexually dimorphic, as male traits develop under tism. The absence or presence of body hair is a the influence of testosterone and female traits sexually dimorphic characteristic, and relative develop under the influence of oestrogens. In the hairlessness and smooth skin in women may sig- case of the broad male chin as a feature of nal fertility because of its association with low attractiveness, the constraints seem to be known. androgen and high oestrogen. Females appreciate If females want dominant males, broad male men’s body hair developed under androgens, but chins may signal a tendency to dominate other males prefer its absence [18]. Skin infection may males. In eight different cultures, Keating et al. denote a disturbance of the production of andro- [13] have shown that males with broad chins gen and oestrogen and reduced reproductive are perceived as being those who are more likely ability. Studies in dermatology have found a to dominate others than be dominated (see also relationship between dermatoses (i.e. physiologi- Ref. [14]). A broad chin could, however, also act cal and pathological changes that can occur in as a handicap [15] because testosterone produc- the skin, nails and hair shafts) and elevated lev- tion might be costly due to suppression of els of sex hormones [21, 22]. In numerous types immune function and thereby increase disease of dermatoses in women, an increase of the level susceptibility during puberty [10]. Immunocompe- of androgens seems to be responsible for these tence is highly relevant because steroid reproduc- symptoms. For example, the polycystic ovary tive hormones may negatively impact immune syndrome results in an overproduction of andro- [10]. Extreme male features, which are triggered gens, which is clinically manifested as dermatos- by testosterone, thus advertise reliably that their es in women [23]. bearer is sufficiently parasite
Recommended publications
  • Factors Affecting the Perception of 3D Facial Symmetry from 2D Projections
    S S symmetry Article Factors Affecting the Perception of 3D Facial Symmetry from 2D Projections Michael B. Lewis ID School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK; [email protected] Received: 28 September 2017; Accepted: 19 October 2017; Published: 21 October 2017 Abstract: Facial symmetry is believed to have an evolutionary significance and so its detection should be robust in natural settings. Previous studies of facial symmetry detection have used front views of faces where the decision could be made on 2D image properties rather than 3D facial properties. These studies also employed comparative judgements, which could be influenced by attractiveness rather than symmetry. Two experiments explored the ability to detect typical levels of 3D facial asymmetry (contrasted with wholly symmetrical faces) from 2D projections of faces. Experiment 1 showed that asymmetry detection was impaired by inversion but even more impaired by 90 degrees rotation demonstrating the importance of the vertical reflection. Asymmetry detection was also reduced by yaw rotation of the head but still above-chance at 30 degrees rotation. Experiment 2 explored the effect of asymmetrical lighting and yaw rotation up to 45 degrees. Detection of asymmetry was affected by asymmetrical lighting and yaw rotation in a non-additive manner. The results are discussed in terms of the special role that faces and vertical symmetry play in visual perception. Keywords: facial symmetry; 3D structure; face inversion 1. Introduction Human faces, like many biological forms, show high levels of mirror symmetry. However, the human body is asymmetrical with many internal organs showing directional asymmetry developed in the first few weeks of life [1,2].
    [Show full text]
  • Implicit Associations Between Appearance and Personality
    EJSP RESEARCH ARTICLE Personality in faces: Implicit associations between appearance and personality Alex L. Jones*, Jeremy J. Tree* & Robert Ward† * Swansea University, Swansea, UK † Bangor University, Bangor, UK Correspondence Abstract Robert Ward, School of Psychology; Bangor University, Brigantia Building, Penrallt Road, How accurate are the spontaneous trait inferences made to faces? Here we Bangor LL57 2AS, UK. measured implicit associations between facial appearance and personality E-mail: [email protected] traits, using faces conveying objective appearances of Extraversion and Agreeableness. In the standard or “uncrossed” conditions of Experiment 1, Received: 8 December 2017 we found that descriptions of high and low Agreeableness and Extraversion Accepted: 4 August 2018 were spontaneously and accurately associated with their objective trait appearance. In Experiment 2, to test the specificity of this effect, we https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2534 “crossed” the Implicit Association Tests, pairing faces conveying high and low Extraversion with words describing characteristics of high and low Conflict of Interest Statement Agreeableness, and the reverse. We found evidence for associations specific The authors declare that there are no to objective appearance of Agreeableness, and a general halo effect relating potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication to Extraversion. We conclude that spontaneous assessment of personality of this article. from faces can be accurate, and can be based on trait-specific as well as gen- eral visual cues. Data Archiving and Accessibility Statement Keywords: personality, accuracy, facial appearance, implicit cognition The raw data files and Python code to reproduce the dataset presented in the analyses of this paper is available on the Open Science Framework (osf.io/pwgkn).
    [Show full text]
  • Beauty As a Transcendental in the Thought of Joseph Ratzinger
    The University of Notre Dame Australia ResearchOnline@ND Theses 2015 Beauty as a transcendental in the thought of Joseph Ratzinger John Jang University of Notre Dame Australia Follow this and additional works at: https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/theses Part of the Philosophy Commons COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969 WARNING The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further copying or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act. Do not remove this notice. Publication Details Jang, J. (2015). Beauty as a transcendental in the thought of Joseph Ratzinger (Master of Philosophy (School of Philosophy and Theology)). University of Notre Dame Australia. https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/theses/112 This dissertation/thesis is brought to you by ResearchOnline@ND. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses by an authorized administrator of ResearchOnline@ND. For more information, please contact [email protected]. School of Philosophy and Theology Sydney Beauty as a Transcendental in the Thought of Joseph Ratzinger Submitted by John Jang A thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Philosophy Supervised by Dr. Renée Köhler-Ryan July 2015 © John Jang 2015 Table of Contents Abstract v Declaration of Authorship vi Acknowledgements vii Introduction 1 Structure 3 Method 5 PART I - Metaphysical Beauty 7 1.1.1 The Integration of Philosophy and Theology 8 1.1.2 Ratzinger’s Response 11 1.2.1 Transcendental Participation 14 1.2.2 Transcendental Convertibility 18 1.2.3 Analogy of Being 25 PART II - Reason and Experience 28 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Herman Bavinck's Theological Aesthetics: a Synchronic And
    TBR 2 (2011): 43–58 Herman Bavinck’s Theological Aesthetics: A Synchronic and Diachronic Analysis Robert S. Covolo PhD candidate, Fuller Theological Seminary In 1914 Herman Bavinck wrote an article for the Almanak of the Vrije Universiteit entitled, “Of Beauty and Aesthetics,” which has recently been translated and republished for the English-speaking world in Essays on Religion, Science, and Society.1 While this is not the only place where Bavinck treats the subject of beauty, this article stands out as a unique, extended glimpse into Bavinck’s theological aesthetics.2 In it we see that Bavinck was conversant with philosophical aesthetics and aware of the tensions of doing theological aesthetics from both a small “c” catholic and a distinctly Reformed perspective. There are many ways to assess Bavinck’s reflections on aesthetics. For example, one could look at the intimations in Bavinck’s works of the aesthetics formulations of later Dutch Reformed writers such as Rookmaker, Seerveld, or Wolterstorff.3 1. Herman Bavinck, “Of Beauty and Aesthetic” in Essays on Religion, Science and Society, ed. John Bolt, trans. Harry Boonstra and Gerrit Sheeres (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008), 245–60. 2. See also Herman Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics, vol. 2, God and Creation, ed. John Bolt, trans. John Vriend (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2004), 252–55. 3. This in itself would prove to be a very interesting study. In one section of the essay Bavinck entertains an idea by a “Mister Berland” who maintains “the characterization of an anarchist situation in the arts.” See Bavinck, “Of Beauty and Aesthetics,” 252.
    [Show full text]
  • Kant's Aesthetic Judgment of Taste, Yogācāra, and Open
    THESIS BEAUTY AND OPENNESS: KANT’S AESTHETIC JUDGMENT OF TASTE, YOGĀCĀRA, AND OPEN PRESENCE MEDITATION Submitted by Kate Brelje Department of Philosophy In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the Degree of Master of Arts Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado Summer 2014 Master’s Committee: Advisor: Jane Kneller Co-Advisor: Matthew MacKenzie Kathleen Kiefer Copyright by Katherine Brelje 2014 All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT BEAUTY AND OPENNESS: KANT’S AESTHETIC JUDGMENT OF TASTE, YOGĀCĀRA, AND OPEN PRESENCE MEDITATION This paper provides a comparative analysis of Kant’s aesthetic judgment of taste and Open Presence meditation interpreted through a Yogācāra philosophical framework. I begin with an expository analysis of Kant’s cognitive and aesthetic judgments, highlighting the presence of attention, form of reflection, and structure of purposeless purposiveness in the judgment. Next, I address the Buddhist idealist Yogācāra philosophical tradition. Through this theoretical lens, I examine Open Presence meditation, with an emphasis on meditative non-dualism, attention, and meditative goals. In the final chapter, I tie together the groundwork laid in the first two chapters into a comparative analysis identifying points of compatibility and contention within the general areas of judgment, attention, purposeless purposiveness, and transformation. Finally, I suggest that, given the results of this analysis, Kant’s aesthetic judgment of taste might benefit from being construed as a type of meditation. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to thank my advisors, Dr. Jane Kneller and Dr. Matthew MacKenzie, for their support throughout the process of crafting this thesis. Their expertise, patience, and guidance were essential for bringing this project to fruition.
    [Show full text]
  • Symmetry, Sexual Dimorphism in Facial Proportions and Male Facial Attractiveness I
    doi 10.1098/rspb.2001.1703 Symmetry, sexual dimorphism in facial proportions and male facial attractiveness I. S. Penton-Voak*, B. C. Jones, A. C. Little, S. Baker, B. Tiddeman, D.M.BurtandD.I.Perrett School of Psychology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9JU, UK Facial symmetry has been proposed as a marker of developmental stability that may be important in human mate choice. Several studies have demonstrated positive relationships between facial symmetry and attractiveness. It was recently proposed that symmetry is not a primary cue to facial attractiveness, as symmetrical faces remain attractive even when presented as half faces (with no cues to symmetry). Facial sexual dimorphisms (`masculinity') have been suggested as a possible cue that may covary with symmetry in men following data on trait size/symmetry relationships in other species. Here, we use real and computer graphic male faces in order to demonstrate that (i) symmetric faces are more attractive, but not reliably more masculine than less symmetric faces and (ii) that symmetric faces possess character- istics that are attractive independent of symmetry, but that these characteristics remain at present unde¢ned. Keywords: £uctuating asymmetry; facial attractiveness; facial sexual dimorphism unsurprising that several studies have addressed the role 1. INTRODUCTION of facial symmetry in attractiveness. Studies of asym- Theories of sexual selection suggest that `good genes'in a metry in natural faces (e.g. Grammer & Thornhill 1994; potential partner may be advertised through some kind of Mealey et al. 1999) and digitally manipulated stimuli (e.g. indicator mechanism. Preferences for partners with traits Perrett et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Do Women's Mate Preferences Change Across the Ovulatory Cycle? a Meta-Analytic Review
    APA NLM tapraid5/z2r-psybul/z2r-psybul/z2r00314/z2r2433d14z xppws Sϭ1 2/11/14 1:01 Art: 2013-1128 Psychological Bulletin © 2014 American Psychological Association 2014, Vol. 140, No. 2, 000 0033-2909/14/$12.00 DOI: 10.1037/a0035438 Do Women’s Mate Preferences Change Across the Ovulatory Cycle? A Meta-Analytic Review AQ: au Kelly Gildersleeve, Martie G. Haselton, and Melissa R. Fales University of California, Los Angeles Scientific interest in whether women experience changes across the ovulatory cycle in mating-related motivations, preferences, cognitions, and behaviors has surged in the past 2 decades. A prominent hypothesis in this area, the ovulatory shift hypothesis, posits that women experience elevated immediate sexual attraction on high- relative to low-fertility days of the cycle to men with characteristics that reflected genetic quality ancestrally. Dozens of published studies have aimed to test this hypothesis, with some reporting null effects. We conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate support for the pattern of cycle shifts predicted by the ovulatory shift hypothesis in a total sample of 134 effects from 38 published and 12 unpublished studies. Consistent with the hypothesis, analyses revealed robust cycle shifts that were specific to women’s preferences for hypothesized cues of (ancestral) genetic quality (96 effects in 50 studies). Cycle shifts were present when women evaluated men’s “short-term” attractiveness and absent when women evaluated men’s “long-term” attractiveness. More focused analyses identified specific characteristics for which cycle shifts were or were not robust and revealed areas in need of more research. Finally, we used several methods to assess potential bias due to an underrepresentation of small effects in the meta-analysis sample or to “researcher degrees of freedom” in definitions of high- and low-fertility cycle phases.
    [Show full text]
  • Facial Symmetry Is Positively Associated with Self-Reported Extraversion
    CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by Brunel University Research Archive N. Pound et al. / Personality and Individual Differences 43 (2007) 1572–1582 Facial symmetry is positively associated with self-reported extraversion Nicholas Pound a, b, *, Ian S. Penton-Voak c and William M. Brown a, b a Centre for Cognition and Neuroimaging, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom b Centre for Culture and Evolutionary Psychology, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom c Department of Experimental Psychology, 8 Woodland Road, Bristol, BS8 1TN, United Kingdom * Corresponding author. Address: Centre for Cognition and Neuroimaging, School of Social Sciences, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom. Tel.: +44 1895 266311; fax: +44 1895 269724. Post-print (final draft post-refereeing) Published in Personality & Individual Differences, Volume 43, Issue 6, October 2007, Pages 1572- 1582. Received 28 January 2007; revised 13 April 2007; accepted 17 April 2007. Available online 11 June 2007. Personality & Individual Differences http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01918869 This article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2007.04.014 1 N. Pound et al. / Personality and Individual Differences 43 (2007) 1572–1582 Abstract Fink et al. (2005) reported significant associations between facial symmetry and scores on some of the “big five” personality dimensions derived from self-report data. In particular, they identified a positive association between facial symmetry and extraversion, but negative associations between facial symmetry and both agreeableness and openness. Fink et al. (2005) used a measure of facial symmetry based on analysis of the central region of each face.
    [Show full text]
  • Do Women's Preferences for Symmetry Change Across the Menstrual Cycle?
    Evolution and Human Behavior 28 (2007) 96–105 Do women’s preferences for symmetry change across the menstrual cycle? Rodrigo Andre´s Ca´rdenas, Lauren Julius Harris4 Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA Initial receipt 23 March 2006; final revision received 1 August 2006 Abstract In many species, symmetry enhances physical attractiveness of the face and body. In humans, facial attractiveness is also enhanced by symmetrical decoration in the form of facial paint [Ca´rdenas, R. A., & Harris, L. J. (2006)]. According to the good-genes hypothesis [e.g., Thornhill, R., & Gangestad, S. W. (1999)], symmetry is preferred because it is associated with mate quality. According to the receiver bias hypothesis [e.g., Enquist, M., & Johnstone, R. (1997)], it is a by-product of how the visual system is designed. Proponents of the good- genes hypothesis have suggested that a preference for symmetry may vary with fertility, namely, that it will be enhanced in women in the high-fertility phase of the menstrual cycle. Previous research does demonstrate that, during this phase, women prefer the scent of more symmetrical men [e.g., Gangestad, S. W., & Thornhill, R. (1998)]. However, research employing assessment of faces fails to find a similar effect [Koehler, N., Rhodes, G., & Simmons, L. W. (2002)]. Previous research asked subjects to judge faces one at a time during high fertility (around ovulation) and low fertility (menstruation). We used a different face-presentation method, tested women during the other low-fertility (midluteal) phase, and used decorated as well as undecorated faces.
    [Show full text]
  • Is Beauty Only Skin Deep? Exploring the Connections Between Makeup and Perception Shawn Kuehl Concordia University, Saint Paul
    Concordia Journal of Communication Research Volume 5 Article 1 6-1-2018 Is Beauty Only Skin Deep? Exploring the Connections Between Makeup and Perception Shawn Kuehl Concordia University, Saint Paul Scarlett eD Wild Concordia University, Saint Paul Jessica Mai Concordia University, Saint Paul Mai Yeng Yang Concordia University, Saint Paul Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.csp.edu/comjournal Part of the Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons Recommended Citation Kuehl, Shawn; DeWild, Scarlett; Mai, Jessica; and Yeng Yang, Mai (2018) "Is Beauty Only Skin Deep? Exploring the Connections Between Makeup and Perception," Concordia Journal of Communication Research: Vol. 5 , Article 1. Available at: https://digitalcommons.csp.edu/comjournal/vol5/iss1/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@CSP. It has been accepted for inclusion in Concordia Journal of Communication Research by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@CSP. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Running Title: Is BeautyKuehl Only et al.: SkinIs Beauty Deep? Only Skin Deep? Exploring the Connections Between Makeu Is Beauty Only Skin Deep? Exploring the Connections Between Makeup and Perception Shawn Kuehl, Scarlett DeWild, Jessica Mai, and Mai Yeng Yang Concordia University, St. Paul In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Course Com: 441 Methods in Research and Com: 442 Research Theory 2017 Published by DigitalCommons@CSP, 2018 1 IS BEAUTY ONLY SKINConcordia DEEP? Journal of Communication Research, Vol. 5 [2018], Art. 1 ABSTRACT This study explored college students’ perceptions of the use of makeup. In order to determine what effect makeup had on first impressions, an online survey was conducted.
    [Show full text]
  • The Face, Beauty, and Symmetry: Perceiving Asymmetry in Beautiful Faces
    Intern. J. Neuroscience, 115:1165–1173, 2005 Copyright 2005 Taylor & Francis Inc. ISSN: 0020-7454 / 1543-5245 online DOI: 10.1080/00207450590914464 THE FACE, BEAUTY, AND SYMMETRY: PERCEIVING ASYMMETRY IN BEAUTIFUL FACES D. W. ZAIDEL J. A. COHEN Department of Psychology University of California Los Angeles, California, USA The relationship between bilateral facial symmetry and beauty remains to be clarified. Here, straight head-on photographs of “beautiful” faces from the col- lections of professional modeling agencies were selected. First, beauty ratings were obtained for these faces. Then, the authors created symmetrical left-left and right-right composites of the beautiful faces and asked a new group of subjects to choose the most attractive pair member. “Same” responses were allowed. No difference between the left-left and right-right composites was revealed but significant differences were obtained between “same” and the left- left or right-right. These results show that subjects detected asymmetry in beauty and suggest that very beautiful faces can be functionally asymmetrical. Keywords attractiveness, brain laterality, evolution, hemispheric specializa- tion, mate choice, sexual selection INTRODUCTION In animal biological domains perfect left-right symmetry is regarded as an indicator of fitness and high genetic quality. Asymmetry is assumed to signal low resistance to disease and susceptibility to parasites, both of which are undesirable heritable traits (Cronin, 1992; Hamilton et al., 1990). Advertising Received 29 September 2004. Address correspondence to Dr. Dahlia W. Zaidel, Department of Psychology, UCLA, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563, USA. E-mail: [email protected] 1165 1166 D. W. ZAIDEL AND J. A. COHEN bilateral symmetry signals quality genes and offspring survival (Moller & Miller, 1994).
    [Show full text]
  • Roger-Scruton-Beauty
    Beauty This page intentionally left blank Beauty ROGER SCRUTON 1 3 Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide in Oxford New York Auckland Cape Town Dar es Salaam Hong Kong Karachi Kuala Lumpur Madrid Melbourne Mexico City Nairobi New Delhi Shanghai Taipei Toronto With offices in Argentina Austria Brazil Chile Czech Republic France Greece Guatemala Hungary Italy Japan Poland Portugal Singapore South Korea Switzerland Thailand Turkey Ukraine Vietnam Oxford is a registered trade mark of Oxford University Press in the UK and in certain other countries Published in the United States by Oxford University Press Inc., New York # Horsell’s Farm Enterprises Limited The moral rights of the author have been asserted Database right Oxford University Press (maker) First published 2009 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press, or as expressly permitted by law, or under terms agreed with the appropriate reprographics rights organization. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the above should be sent to the Rights Department, Oxford University Press, at the address above You must not circulate this book in any other binding or cover and you must impose the same condition on any acquirer British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Data available Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Data available Typeset by SPI Publisher Services, Pondicherry, India Printed in Italy and acid-free paper by Lego S.p.A ISBN 978–0–19–955952–7 13579108642 CONTENTS Picture Acknowledgements vii Preface ix 1.
    [Show full text]