Effects of sexual dimorphism on facial attractiveness.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional laboratory perceptual experiment (by design analogy, not clinical CEBM)
PubMed 9732869 · doi:10.1038/29772
What was done
Researchers presented UK and Japanese subjects with computerized continua that systematically enhanced or diminished shape differences between average male and female faces. Participants chose the most attractive faces from these continua and evaluated perceived personality and behavioral traits (such as dominance, coldness, and dishonesty) associated with facial masculinity.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values, test statistics, or sample sizes. Subjects across both UK and Japanese cohorts preferred feminized shapes of female faces over average shapes, with stronger effects for within-population judgments. Subjects also preferred feminized shapes of male faces over average or masculinized shapes. Enhanced masculine facial features increased perceived dominance and negative attributions, such as coldness and dishonesty.
Why it matters
This study provides evidence that sexual selection does not uniformly favor exaggerated masculine facial features in human males, pointing to evolutionary trade-offs involving neoteny, perceived personality traits, and paternal investment.
Limits
The abstract does not disclose the sample size (n), participant age ranges, or exact effect sizes. Judgments relied on static, computerized 2D facial shape manipulations rather than real-life social interactions or actual mate choices.
Cited by
- supports Hypermasculinized male faces are less attractive to women than average or slightly feminized male faces.