Mixed-ethnicity face shape and attractiveness in humans

Citation

Little A, Hockings KJ, Apicella CL & Sousa C (2012) Mixed-ethnicity face shape and attractiveness in humans. Perception, 41 (12), pp. 1486-1496. https://doi.org/10.1068/p7278

Abstract
Many studies show agreement within and between populations and cultures for general judgments of facial attractiveness. Studies that have examined the attractiveness of specific traits have also highlighted cross-cultural differences for factors such as symmetry, averageness, and masculinity. One trait that should be preferred across cultures is heterozygosity. Indeed, several studies suggest that mixed ethnicity, in terms of appearing to possess a mixture of traits from different human population groups, may be found attractive, which could reflect preferences for heterozygosity. We examined preferences for manipulated face shape associated with different populations in both Europeans (Britain) and Africans (Guinea-Bissau). We found that mixed-ethnicity face shapes were more attractive than enhanced single-ethnicity face shape across both populations. These results are consistent with evolutionary theories suggesting individuals should prefer heterozygosity in partners because facial cues to mixed-ethnicity are likely to indicate diverse genes compared to cues that indicate a face belongs to a single particular culture or population.

Keywords
facial attractiveness; mixed; culture; population; agreement; variation

Journal
Perception: Volume 41, Issue 12