Baby Face vs Macho – Baby Face Wins
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Women perceive macho or masculine men unsuitable for long-term partners, whereas men with baby faces or feminine facial features are viewed as more committed and less likely to cheat on their partners, based on new research by psychologists from Durham and St Andrews Universities.
Photos left Simon Scott and right Oachkatzlschwoaf
More than 400 British men and women were asked to judge digitally altered pictures of male faces made to look more masculine or feminine, and to evaluate personality traits including sexual behavior and parenting skills from the photos.
Men with masculine faces, with features of a square jaw, larger nose and smaller eyes, were drastically considered more dominant, less faithful, worse parents, with personalities that were ‘cold’, compared to baby faced men with finer facial features, fuller lips, wide eyes and thinner, more curved eyebrows, reports Scientific Blogging.
Photos left Jon-e and right Cesarastudillo
The scientists say the research corresponds with previous studies about masculinity and perceptions of personality, providing further insight into what people see in others when selecting a potential partner. It also helps advance studies for evolutionary biology, fertility and genetics and impart new insight for relationship counseling and psychology.
Photos left Design Photo Gallery and right Gemroad
Dr. Lynda Boothroyd, a lecturer with Durham University’s Department of Psychology, said, “This research shows a high amount of agreement between women about what they see, personality wise, when asked to ‘judge a book by its cover’.”
“They may well use that impression of someone to decide whether or not to engage with that person. That decision-making process all depends on what a woman is looking for in a relationship at that time of her life.”
Photos left Dozman and right Letisssia
Participants carried out a web-based test based on pairs of pictures which only displayed the face without any hair, ears, neck, shoulders, or visible clothing. They were asked to choose which face they thought was more of a particular trait on a point scale for match value. Traits used for judgment were dominance, ambition, wealth, faithfulness, commitment, parenting, and warmth.
Not much of a surprise, findings for faces that appeared healthier with a better complexion were considered more desirable in terms blanketing all personality traits, compared to those who looked unhealthy. Older faces were generally viewed more positively compared to younger ones.
Photos left Wassanova and right Gemroad
Professor David Perrett from St Andrews University said, “Our research also found that it is men’s health that conveys all round good qualities for partnership and personality. Our results contradict claims that machismo denotes fitness and disease immunity. Masculinity may buy you dominance but not necessarily tip top physical condition. Instead women see a healthy guy as the source of wealth, and fit for family life.”
Care to be a part of this ongoing experiment? Visit Booth Lab and Perception Lab.
So for all the guys who choose to be a macho macho man …
Photo Dozman
You might want to think twice if you want to receive all the attention and glory of this lucky guy …
Photo Mr. Beutel
Related stories:
Science of the Muscle Man Factor
The Face – Not the Body – Attracts a Mate
Study Finds Men Not So Naughty – Women Not So Noble
Research Proves Men Talk as Much as Women
thats an interesting research! And of course they keep spending time and money on these studies, ask us, we always go for the older and mature looking faces don’t we?
Good article Deborah,
Now they tell me huh? Guess I better consider going under the knife and doing a Michael Jackson hahahaha, but having said that I think I’ll keep my schnoz after what they did to his
)
Well that’s my personal preference Pearl, the older mature looking male, and apparently it seems to be the most common
You’re forgetting I’ve seen your piccy Colin, hehe. You’ve got the baby face thing going for ya, but I don’t recall the size of your schnoz without looking again. I think it would have been notable if you had a whopper of a honker, so I think you’ve got it going for ya
As for Michael Jackson, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, haha.
Interesting research, now I’m gonna jhave ti figure out how to get that Baby Face back,,,,Lot’s aloe and maybe a mud mask
Wow Deborah just dropped over,super cool research.Makes me feel inferior (tho i am Not masculine
),haha!
Nice one.
Too funny Tom! Just remember, above all, the ladies are attracted to men that appear healthy looking
Thanks Winston. See my above statement, healthy appearance is key
Healthy appearance? oh well….that’s me buggered then hahaha
You know Colin, as much as I’d love to take the opportunity of being able to bash you for all the smart a$$ remarks you pay me, I. just. can’t. Gawd I hate myself for that, haha!
Don’t go beating yourself up Colin. Another day, another payback, snrrrk.
Gee thanks Deborah lol, at least you get a laugh out of it
)
Yes, but women prefer masculine mates for their one-night stands, as well as for their infidelities, from which they are far more likely to become pregnant than sex with their erstwhile lifetime partners. Just saying.
Very good and valid point Bsinister. I think you’re probably bang-on, particularly with the one night stand issue.
The research is totally opposite from common sense. Baby face men might be more attractive but are seem less alpha (as in the protector). That’s what I would think.
Valid point Butch. In a separate study I discovered last night for Science of the Sexual Attraction Factor agrees with your manner of thinking.
For every study done, there’s often another with an opposing perspective.
Personally speaking, I find a man with a kind looking face to be the one I’m attracted to. It doesn’t necessarily mean a baby face or macho one, it’s what I perceive as having a kindness about it.
Healthy appearance