The role of masculinity and distinctiveness in judgments of human male facial attractiveness

Masculinity and distinctiveness have been found to influence the attractiveness of human male faces. The relationship between masculinity and distinctiveness, however, has received little attention. In Expt 1, we examine how current averaging techniques and manipulated sexual dimorphism influence ra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The British journal of psychology 2002-11, Vol.93 (4), p.451-464
Main Authors: Little, Anthony C., Hancock, Peter J. B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attractiveness
Beauty
Biological and medical sciences
Distinctiveness
Face
Face perception
Facial expressions
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human behaviour
Humans
Judgement
Judgment
Judgments
Male
Males
Masculinity
Mate selection
Men
Perceptions
Personal appearance
Physiological aspects
Preferences
Psychological aspects
Psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Social interactions. Communication. Group processes
Social psychology
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Summary:Masculinity and distinctiveness have been found to influence the attractiveness of human male faces. The relationship between masculinity and distinctiveness, however, has received little attention. In Expt 1, we examine how current averaging techniques and manipulated sexual dimorphism influence ratings of attractiveness, masculinity, and distinctiveness. In agreement with previous studies, composite faces were found to be more attractive than individual faces. Averaging resulted in increased ratings of attractiveness but decreased ratings of masculinity and distinctiveness. This supports both that attractiveness is related to averageness and findings showing a preference for feminine traits in male faces. When controlling for attractiveness, no significant relationship was found between masculinity and distinctiveness. Manipulating sexual dimorphism did not alter distinctiveness ratings, indicating that feminized and masculinized faces are equally distinctive. These results are suggestive that masculinity and distinctiveness are separable components in face perception. In Expt 2, we look to improve on previous studies utilizing composite faces by examining how averaging in texture‐only or shape‐only changes perceptions of attractiveness, masculinity, and distinctiveness. Averaging in both shape and texture were found to increase attractiveness independently, showing that the increased attractiveness of composites is due to the combined action of these two manipulations.
ISSN:0007-1269
2044-8295
DOI:10.1348/000712602761381349