Title: Do women's preferences for symmetry change across the menstrual cycle?
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 (Cardenas, 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. As in our prior study (Cardenas, R. A., & Harris, L. J. (2006)), symmetry of facial features and symmetry of decoration enhanced attractiveness, but, contrary to the possible prediction of the good-genes hypothesis, the effects did not vary across the cycle. The results as they are, therefore, can be equally accommodated by both hypotheses.
Publication Year: 2007
Publication Date: 2007-03-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 31
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