The perception of facial attractiveness : a cross-cultural study

Type of content
Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Psychology
Degree name
Master of Arts
Publisher
University of Canterbury
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
English
Date
1991
Authors
Blokker, Klaas
Abstract

Building on previous research on facial attractiveness, this thesis tested the evolutionary theory that a universal standard of facial attractiveness, based on indicators of health and fertility in females and indicators of status and maturity in males, exists. By correlating attractiveness ratings from Japanese and New Zealand university students with feature measurements of male and female faces from these cultures, as well as correlating the attractiveness ratings between the two cultures, it was found that both similarities and differences in the attractiveness of facial features exist. Whilst female features of large eyes and thick lower lips were found to be predictors of attractiveness for subjects from both cultures, no such features were found for male faces. However, culturally specific preferences for several male and female facial features which were predicted by evolutionary theory to be attractive, were found. It was concluded that standards of female facial attractiveness may be less affected by cultural influences than standards of male facial attractiveness. Suggestions were made for future research to determine more clearly which facial features are universally attractive, which features vary in attractiveness value across cultures, and why these cultural differences exist.

Description
Citation
Keywords
Face perception--Cross-cultural studies, Interpersonal attraction--Cross-cultural studies, Face--Evolution
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Rights
All Rights Reserved