Posted on 02/13/2005 6:07:43 PM PST by NCjim
Just like in the movies, square-jawed hunks attract the best looking women, scientists have found.
But less macho males may have the last laugh. They get more choice because men with feminine faces are the most in demand.
Researchers tested several hundred students and members of staff at a university to see what facial types they preferred.
They were shown a variety of computer-generated faces, manipulated to look either more masculine or feminine.
Participants were asked to judge what facial type they were most attracted to.
The results showed that most women favoured a feminised male face. But those who rated themselves as attractive were more drawn to classic masculine faces.
Dr Tony Little, from the University of Liverpools School of Biological Sciences, said: Facial types indicate how a particular person might behave in a relationship and the potential benefits they could give to offspring.
A masculine face is linked to high testosterone levels, which demonstrates good genetic qualities. Those women who prefer masculine men are selecting genetic benefits for their children, despite the fact that high testosterone levels can also increase the likelihood that the male will have an affair. Those men with a feminine face tend to be associated with stability and caring.
Women who considered themselves highly attracted were more willing to take a risk with a highly testosterone-charged male.
They were less likely to fear a man straying and breaking up the family.
A second study was conducted with male volunteers shown pictures of fictitious couples.
They were asked to rate the males dominance in relation to themselves and how attractive they found the female.
The researchers found that women were rated more attractive when seen with a dominant male. Men who rated themselves as attractive also preferred women with feminine facial features, such as a small nose and chin and large eyes, which are indicators of fertility.
Dr Little said: A man who feels that he has something beneficial to offer in a relationship, will want something in return and therefore will choose a partner who can transfer his genes to offspring successfully
We have also found that people tend to be attracted to those who look similar to their opposite-sex parent. Your choice of partner would therefore look similar to you, thus increasing the chances of your children also resembling you.
Evolutionary theory tells us that our human instinct is to promote our own genes and choosing a partner that looks like us helps us to do this.
The study at Liverpool University has now been expanded via the internet to include members of the public.
People can take part by logging onto www.alittlelab.com.
The researchers want to explore how faces influence the success or failure of relationships.
Study data will also be used to determine which facial types are likely to promote feelings of jealousy.
I'm glad this study was funded by the English.
By and large, liberal democrats - clinton voters. Hardly what you would consider, salt of the earth, or indicative of normal America.
Haha- What man would like being told that he has a "feminine face"?
Ha!! Talk about the wish being father to the thought.
are they talking about metro men?
I don't really beleive this is true.
The polling could have been rigged. They could have worded the questions so that the woman was voting that she was not attracted to a Schlitz-swilling ape and they did a little presto-change-o that is still almost "technically correct"
Chicks may like men civilized and with good manners, but most still like real men and not metrosexuals. THat's just my humble opinion.
Bones
It's not the face that influences the success or failure of a relationship,
it's what comes out of it that counts!
Sounds more like latent lesbianism.
What is a well-known example of a feminine-faced man?
Good thing I'm married. My head is shaved and my beard is nearly a foot long, so there is nothing feminine about my face.
Jack Tripper.
"...But those who rated themselves as attractive were more drawn to classic masculine faces. ..."
Important point worth noticing.
Bones
Sigh. Lick the screen. Go nuts. :)
no.
Sorry, John Ritter.
Who??? Guess I have to google this. *LOL*
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