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The role of symmetry in attraction to average faces

Perception & Psychophysics volume 69, pages 1273–1277 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Although many studies have demonstrated that average faces tend to be attractive, few studies have examined the extent to which symmetry contributes to the attractiveness of average faces. Such studies are potentially important, however, because average faces are highly symmetric and increasing the symmetry of face images increases their attractiveness. Here we demonstrate that increasing averageness of 2-D face shape independently of symmetry is sufficient to increase attractiveness, indicating that preferences for symmetry cannot solely explain the attractiveness of average faces. Additionally, we show that averageness preferences are significantly weaker when the effects of symmetry are controlled for using computer graphic methods than when the effects of symmetry are not controlled for, suggesting that symmetry contributes to the attractiveness of average faces. Importantly, this latter finding was not explained by the greater perceived similarity between versions of faces that varied in averageness, but not symmetry, than between versions of faces that varied in both averageness and symmetry.

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Affiliations

  1. University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland

    Benedict C. Jones & Lisa M. DeBruine

  2. Face Research Laboratory, School of Psychology, William Guild Building, University of Aberdeen, AB24 2UB, Aberdeen, Scotland

    Anthony C. Little

Authors
  1. Benedict C. Jones
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  2. Lisa M. DeBruine
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  3. Anthony C. Little
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Correspondence to Benedict C. Jones.

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Jones, B.C., DeBruine, L.M. & Little, A.C. The role of symmetry in attraction to average faces. Perception & Psychophysics 69, 1273–1277 (2007). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03192944

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03192944

Keywords

  • Face Image
  • Symmetry Condition
  • Average Face
  • Facial Attractiveness
  • Perfect Symmetry