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Gurguis CI, Kimm TS, Pigott TA. Perspective: the evolution of hormones and person perception-a quantitative genetic framework. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1395974. [PMID: 38952835 PMCID: PMC11215136 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1395974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary biology provides a unifying theory for testing hypotheses about the relationship between hormones and person perception. Person perception usually receives attention from the perspective of sexual selection. However, because person perception is one trait in a suite regulated by hormones, univariate approaches are insufficient. In this Perspectives article, quantitative genetics is presented as an important but underutilized framework for testing evolutionary hypotheses within this literature. We note tacit assumptions within the current literature on psychiatric genetics, which imperil the interpretation of findings thus far. As regulators of a diverse manifold of traits, hormones mediate tradeoffs among an array of functions. Hormonal pleiotropy also provides the basis of correlational selection, a process whereby selection on one trait in a hormone-mediated suite generates selection on the others. This architecture provides the basis for conflicts between sexual and natural selection within hormone-mediated suites. Due to its role in person perception, psychiatric disorders, and reproductive physiology, the sex hormone estrogen is highlighted as an exemplar here. The implications of this framework for the evolution of person perception are discussed. Empirical quantification of selection on traits within hormone-mediated suites remains an important gap in this literature with great potential to illuminate the fundamental nature of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher I. Gurguis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, TX, United States
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2
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Pollo P, Reynolds TA, Blake KR, Kasumovic MM. Exploring Within-Gender Differences in Friendships Using an Online Social Network. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024:10.1007/s10508-024-02906-5. [PMID: 38862863 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-024-02906-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
People tend to befriend others similar to themselves, generating a pattern called homophily. However, existing studies on friendship patterns often rely on surveys that assess the perspective of relatively few participants on their friendships but do not measure actualized friendship patterns. Here, we used data from a large Slovakian online social network to assess the role of gender, age, and body mass index (BMI) in same-gender online connections among more than 400,000 users. We found that age and BMI homophily occurred in both men's and women's same-gender connections, but somewhat more strongly among men's. Yet, as women diverged in BMI, their connections were less likely to be reciprocated. We discuss how the evolutionary legacy of men's coalitional competition (e.g., warfare) and women's mating competition or recruitment of allocare providers might contribute to these patterns in modern same-gender relationships. For example, men's engagement in physical activities may lead to similar formidability levels among their same-gender peers. Altogether, our findings highlight the importance of trait similarity to same-gender friendship patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Pollo
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, 5 Floor, Building E26, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Tania A Reynolds
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Khandis R Blake
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael M Kasumovic
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, 5 Floor, Building E26, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
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3
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Butovskaya ML, Rostovstseva VV, Mezentseva AA, Kavina A, Rizwan M, Shi Y, Vilimek V, Davletshin A. Cross-cultural perception of strength, attractiveness, aggressiveness and helpfulness of Maasai male faces calibrated to handgrip strength. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5880. [PMID: 38467751 PMCID: PMC10928163 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56607-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated that Maasai and Europeans tend to align in their ratings of the physical strength and aggressiveness of Maasai male faces, calibrated to hand grip strength (HGS). However, perceptions of attractiveness of these faces differed among populations. In this study, three morphs of young Maasai men created by means of geometric morphometrics, and depicting the average sample and two extrema (± 4 SD of HGS), were assessed by men and women from Tanzania, Czech Republic, Russia, Pakistan, China, and Mexico (total sample = 1540). The aim of this study was to test cross-cultural differences in the perception of young Maasai men's composites calibrated to HGS, focusing on four traits: physical strength, attractiveness, aggressiveness, and helpfulness. Individuals from all six cultures were able to distinguish between low, medium, and high HGS portraits. Across all study populations, portrait of Maasai men with lower HGS was perceived as less attractive, more aggressive, and less helpful. This suggests that people from diverse populations share similar perceptions of physical strength based on facial shape, as well as attribute similar social qualities like aggressiveness and helpfulness to these facial images. Participants from all samples rated the composite image of weak Maasai men as the least attractive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina L Butovskaya
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 32a, 119334, Moscow, Russia.
- National Research University, Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Victoria V Rostovstseva
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 32a, 119334, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna A Mezentseva
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 32a, 119334, Moscow, Russia
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4
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Chen N, Nakamura K, Watanabe K. Red biases sex categorization of human bodies. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1234417. [PMID: 37744612 PMCID: PMC10512458 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1234417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Color is associated with gender information (e.g., red-female). However, little has been known on the effect of color on sex recognition of human bodies. This study aimed to investigate whether the color red could influence the categorization of human bodies by sex, and the effect of contextual information. Visual stimuli were created using body silhouettes varying along the waist-to-hip ratio from female to male shapes. These stimuli were presented in conjunction with red, green, and gray colors, which were used either as body color (Experiment 1) or background color (Experiment 2). Participants were instructed to categorize the sex of the body stimuli as either male or female by pressing labeled keys. The results showed that when red was used as a body color, it induced a bias toward feminine body perception, while when used as a background color, it induced a bias toward masculine body perception. Thus, the color red influenced the sex categorization of human bodies, which being modulated by contextual information. These findings provided novel insights into the effect of contextual color cues in sex recognition of human bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Chen
- The Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Koyo Nakamura
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsumi Watanabe
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
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5
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Mailhos A, Egea-Caparrós DA, Cabana Á, Martínez-Sánchez F. Voice pitch is negatively associated with sociosexual behavior in males but not in females. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1200065. [PMID: 37496795 PMCID: PMC10367086 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1200065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Acoustic cues play a major role in social interactions in many animal species. In addition to the semantic contents of human speech, voice attributes - e.g., voice pitch, formant position, formant dispersion, etc. - have been proposed to provide critical information for the assessment of potential rivals and mates. However, prior studies exploring the association of acoustic attributes with reproductive success, or some of its proxies, have produced mixed results. Here, we investigate whether the mean fundamental frequency (F0), formant position (Pf), and formant dispersion (Df) - dimorphic attributes of the human voice - are related to sociosexuality, as measured by the Revised Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI-R) - a trait also known to exhibit sex differences - in a sample of native Spanish-speaking students (101 males, 147 females). Analyses showed a significant negative correlation between F0 and sociosexual behavior, and between Pf and sociosexual desire in males but not in females. These correlations remained significant after correcting for false discovery rate (FDR) and controlling for age, a potential confounding variable. Our results are consistent with a role of F0 and Pf serving as cues in the mating domain in males but not in females. Alternatively, the association of voice attributes and sociosexual orientation might stem from the parallel effect of male sex hormones both on the male brain and the anatomical structures involved in voice production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Mailhos
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Álvaro Cabana
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Lee AJ, McGuire NKJ. Women's Preferences for Masculinity in Male Faces Are Predicted by Material Scarcity, But Not Time or Psychological Scarcity. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 21:14747049231175073. [PMID: 37735893 PMCID: PMC10517608 DOI: 10.1177/14747049231175073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Facial femininity in men is purportedly used as a cue by women as a signal of parental quality and willingness to provide resources. Accordingly, in contexts where choosing a partner that will provide resources is more beneficial (e.g., when resources are scarce), women have shown an increase preference for facial femininity in male faces. However, domains of scarcity often covary, and it is, therefore, unclear whether these contextual shifts in facial masculinity/femininity preferences are specific to material scarcity (as implied by previous theory), or due to an unrelated domain of scarcity (e.g., time or psychological scarcity). Here, a sample of 823 women completed the Perceived Scarcity Scale, which measures three separate domains of scarcity: material scarcity, time scarcity, and psychological scarcity. Participants also rated the attractiveness of 42 male faces, which were measured on objective sexual dimorphism and perceived masculinity. Consistent with theory, material scarcity, and not time or psychological scarcity, was associated with a decreased preference for objective sexual dimorphism (i.e., an increased preference for facial femininity). This study provides evidence that women use sexual dimorphism as a cue to material resource provisioning potential when assessing men as a mate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J. Lee
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Division of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland
| | - Nikita K. J. McGuire
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Division of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland
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7
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Dual Mating Strategies Observed in Male Clients of Female Sex Workers. HUMAN NATURE (HAWTHORNE, N.Y.) 2023; 34:46-63. [PMID: 36800116 PMCID: PMC10073045 DOI: 10.1007/s12110-023-09439-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Humans have a complex and dynamic mating system, and there is evidence that our modern sexual preferences stem from evolutionary pressures. In the current paper we explore male use of a dual mating strategy: simultaneously pursuing both a long-term relationship (pair-bonding) as well as short-term, extra-pair copulations (variety-seeking). The primary constraint on such sexual pursuits is partner preferences, which can limit male behavior and hence cloud inferences about male preferences. The aim of this study was to investigate heterosexual male mating preferences when largely unconstrained by female partner preferences. In service of this goal, female full-service sex workers (N = 6) were surveyed on the traits and behaviors of their male clients (N = 516) and iterative cluster analysis was used to identify male mating typologies. Two clusters emerged: clients seeking a pair-bonding experience and clients seeking a variety experience. Results also suggested that romantically committed men were more likely to seek a variety experience than a relationship experience. We conclude that men desire both pair-bonding and sexual variety, and that their preference for one might be predicted by fulfilment of the other. These findings have implications for relationships, providing insight into motivations for male infidelity.
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Pazhoohi F, Garza R, Kingstone A. The Interacting Effects of Height and Shoulder-to-Hip Ratio on Perceptions of Attractiveness, Masculinity, and Fighting Ability: Experimental Design and Ecological Validity Considerations. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 52:301-314. [PMID: 36074312 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02416-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Previous research has shown that men's height and upper body size are both associated with the perception of attractiveness, because they might be cues to men's genetic fitness, fighting ability, and resource holding power. However, the combined effects of men's height and upper body size have not been explored. In this research, across four studies (N = 659 heterosexual women), we systematically explored the perception of men's muscular upper body at different heights on perceptions of attractiveness, masculinity, and fighting ability. Women rated male stimuli with heights ranging from 160 cm (5'3″) to 190 cm (6'3″) and three values of shoulder-to-hip ratio (SHR). In general, results showed that women considered taller men and men with larger SHR as more attractive, masculine, and better in fighting ability. However, a robust interaction between height and SHR was dependent on participants being exposed to variation on both variables and the ecological validity of the stimuli (silhouettes vs. more realistic rendered figures).
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Affiliation(s)
- Farid Pazhoohi
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Ray Garza
- Department of Psychology and Communication, Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX, USA
| | - Alan Kingstone
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
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Chen S, Han C, Wang S, Liu X, Wang B, Wei R, Lei X. Hearing the physical condition: The relationship between sexually dimorphic vocal traits and underlying physiology. Front Psychol 2022; 13:983688. [DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.983688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing amount of research has shown associations between sexually dimorphic vocal traits and physiological conditions related to reproductive advantage. This paper presented a review of the literature on the relationship between sexually dimorphic vocal traits and sex hormones, body size, and physique. Those physiological conditions are important in reproductive success and mate selection. Regarding sex hormones, there are associations between sex-specific hormones and sexually dimorphic vocal traits; about body size, formant frequencies are more reliable predictors of human body size than pitch/fundamental frequency; with regard to the physique, there is a possible but still controversial association between human voice and strength and combat power, while pitch is more often used as a signal of aggressive intent in conflict. Future research should consider demographic, cross-cultural, cognitive interaction, and emotional motivation influences, in order to more accurately assess the relationship between voice and physiology. Moreover, neurological studies were recommended to gain a deeper understanding of the evolutionary origins and adaptive functions of voice modulation.
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10
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Human third-party observers accurately track fighting skill and vigour along their unique paths to victory. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14841. [PMID: 36050502 PMCID: PMC9437099 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19044-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual selection via male-male contest competition has shaped the evolution of agonistic displays, weaponry, and fighting styles, and is further argued to have shaped human psychological mechanisms to detect, process, and respond appropriately to cues of fighting ability. Drawing on the largest fight-specific dataset to date across the sports and biological sciences (N = 2765 fights), we examined how different indicators of fighting ability in humans reflect unique paths to victory and indicate different forms of perceived and actual resource-holding power (RHP). Overall, we discovered that: (1) both striking skill and vigour, and grappling skill and vigour, individually and collectively predict RHP; (2) different RHP indicators are distinguished by a unique path to victory (e.g., striking skill is a knockout-typical strategy, whereas grappling vigour is a submission-typical strategy); and (3) third-party observers accurately track fighting skill and vigour along their unique paths to victory. Our argument that different measures of RHP are associated with unique paths to victory, and third-party observers accurately track fighting vigour and skill along their unique paths to victory, advance our understanding not only of human contest competition, but animal contest theory more broadly.
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11
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Salas-Rodríguez J, Gómez-Jacinto L, Hombrados-Mendieta I, Del Pino-Brunet N. Too Many Males or Too Many Females? Classroom Sex Ratio, Life History Strategies and Risk-Taking Behaviors. J Youth Adolesc 2022; 51:2033-2045. [PMID: 35648260 PMCID: PMC9363336 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-022-01635-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Prior research finds that sex ratio, defined as the proportion of males and females in a given context, is related to engagement in risk-taking behaviors. However, most research operationalizes sex ratio at a local context (e.g., regional or county), which fails to reflect with precision the sex ratios contexts of individuals at a closer level. Furthermore, the relationship between sex ratio and risk-taking behaviors may be affected by individuals’ life history strategy, with previous studies showing fast life history strategies linked to risk-taking behaviors, compared to slow life history strategies. The present study analyzes the relationship between classroom sex ratio and risk-taking behaviors and the interaction between classroom sex ratio and life history strategy in adolescents. The sample comprised 1214 participants nested in 57 classrooms, 49.75% females, 91.5% Spanish and a mean age of 16.15 years (SD = 1.23, range 14–21). Results from multilevel modeling showed a negative relation between classroom sex ratio and risk-taking behaviors in female adolescents with faster life history strategy. By contrast, classroom sex ratio in male adolescents related positively to risk-taking behaviors but did not interact with life history strategy. These findings underscore the importance of studying proximate sex ratio on risk-taking behaviors in adolescents and underline its potential influence in the development and expression of life history strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Salas-Rodríguez
- Department of Social Psychology, Social Work and Social Services, and Social Anthropology, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain.
| | - Luis Gómez-Jacinto
- Department of Social Psychology, Social Work and Social Services, and Social Anthropology, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Isabel Hombrados-Mendieta
- Department of Social Psychology, Social Work and Social Services, and Social Anthropology, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Natalia Del Pino-Brunet
- Department of Social Psychology, Social Work and Social Services, and Social Anthropology, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
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Lidborg LH, Cross CP, Boothroyd LG. A meta-analysis of the association between male dimorphism and fitness outcomes in humans. eLife 2022; 11:e65031. [PMID: 35179485 PMCID: PMC9106334 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans are sexually dimorphic: men and women differ in body build and composition, craniofacial structure, and voice pitch, likely mediated in part by developmental testosterone. Sexual selection hypotheses posit that, ancestrally, more 'masculine' men may have acquired more mates and/or sired more viable offspring. Thus far, however, evidence for either association is unclear. Here, we meta-analyze the relationships between six masculine traits and mating/reproductive outcomes (96 studies, 474 effects, N = 177,044). Voice pitch, height, and testosterone all predicted mating; however, strength/muscularity was the strongest and only consistent predictor of both mating and reproduction. Facial masculinity and digit ratios did not significantly predict either. There was no clear evidence for any effects of masculinity on offspring viability. Our findings support arguments that strength/muscularity may be sexually selected in humans, but cast doubt regarding selection for other forms of masculinity and highlight the need to increase tests of evolutionary hypotheses outside of industrialized populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda H Lidborg
- Department of Psychology, Durham UniversityDurhamUnited Kingdom
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13
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Hughes SM, Puts DA. Vocal modulation in human mating and competition. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200388. [PMID: 34719246 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human voice is dynamic, and people modulate their voices across different social interactions. This article presents a review of the literature examining natural vocal modulation in social contexts relevant to human mating and intrasexual competition. Altering acoustic parameters during speech, particularly pitch, in response to mating and competitive contexts can influence social perception and indicate certain qualities of the speaker. For instance, a lowered voice pitch is often used to exert dominance, display status and compete with rivals. Changes in voice can also serve as a salient medium for signalling a person's attraction to another, and there is evidence to support the notion that attraction and/or romantic interest can be distinguished through vocal tones alone. Individuals can purposely change their vocal behaviour in attempt to sound more attractive and to facilitate courtship success. Several findings also point to the effectiveness of vocal change as a mechanism for communicating relationship status. As future studies continue to explore vocal modulation in the arena of human mating, we will gain a better understanding of how and why vocal modulation varies across social contexts and its impact on receiver psychology. This article is part of the theme issue 'Voice modulation: from origin and mechanism to social impact (Part I)'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan M Hughes
- Psychology Department, Albright College, Reading, PA 19612, USA
| | - David A Puts
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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14
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Cassar A, Rigdon ML. Option to cooperate increases women's competitiveness and closes the gender gap. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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15
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Capital as an Integrative Conceptualisation of Human Characteristics, Behaviour, and Outcomes Predicting Reproductive Success and Evolutionary Fitness. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40806-021-00293-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAccording to evolutionary theory, human cognition and behaviour are based on adaptations selected for their contribution to reproduction in the past, which in the present may result in differential reproductive success and inclusive fitness. Because this depiction is broad and human behaviour often separated from this ultimate outcome (e.g., increasing childlessness), evolutionary theory can only incompletely account for human everyday behaviour. Moreover, effects of most studied traits and characteristics on mating and reproductive success turned out not to be robust. In this article, an abstract descriptive level for evaluating human characteristics, behaviour, and outcomes is proposed, as a predictor of long-term reproductive success and fitness. Characteristics, behaviour, and outcomes are assessed in terms of attained and maintained capital, defined by more concrete (e.g., mating success, personality traits) and abstract (e.g., influence, received attention) facets, thus extending constructs like embodied capital and social capital theory, which focuses on resources embedded in social relationships. Situations are framed as opportunities to gain capital, and situational factors function as elicitors for gaining and evaluating capital. Combined capital facets should more robustly predict reproductive success and (theoretically) fitness than individual fitness predictors. Different ways of defining and testing these associations are outlined, including a method for empirically examining the psychometric utility of introducing a capital concept. Further theorising and empirical research should more precisely define capital and its facets, and test associations with (correlates of) reproductive success and fitness.
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16
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How and why patterns of sexual dimorphism in human faces vary across the world. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5978. [PMID: 33727579 PMCID: PMC7966798 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85402-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual selection, including mate choice and intrasexual competition, is responsible for the evolution of some of the most elaborated and sexually dimorphic traits in animals. Although there is sexual dimorphism in the shape of human faces, it is not clear whether this is similarly due to mate choice, or whether mate choice affects only part of the facial shape difference between men and women. Here we explore these questions by investigating patterns of both facial shape and facial preference across a diverse set of human populations. We find evidence that human populations vary substantially and unexpectedly in both the magnitude and direction of facial sexually dimorphic traits. In particular, European and South American populations display larger levels of facial sexual dimorphism than African populations. Neither cross-cultural differences in facial shape variation, sex differences in body height, nor differing preferences for facial femininity and masculinity across countries, explain the observed patterns of facial dimorphism. Altogether, the association between sexual shape dimorphism and attractiveness is moderate for women and weak (or absent) for men. Analysis that distinguishes between allometric and non-allometric components reveals that non-allometric facial dimorphism is preferred in women's faces but not in faces of men. This might be due to different regimes of ongoing sexual selection acting on men, such as stronger intersexual selection for body height and more intense intrasexual physical competition, compared with women.
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17
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Hodges-Simeon CR, Albert G, Richardson GB, McHale TS, Weinberg SM, Gurven M, Gaulin SJC. Was facial width-to-height ratio subject to sexual selection pressures? A life course approach. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0240284. [PMID: 33711068 PMCID: PMC7954343 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual selection researchers have traditionally focused on adult sex differences; however, the schedule and pattern of sex-specific ontogeny can provide insights unobtainable from an exclusive focus on adults. Recently, it has been debated whether facial width-to-height ratio (fWHR; bi-zygomatic breadth divided by midface height) is a human secondary sexual characteristic (SSC). Here, we review current evidence, then address this debate using ontogenetic evidence, which has been under-explored in fWHR research. Facial measurements were collected from 3D surface images of males and females aged 3 to 40 (Study 1; US European-descent, n = 2449), and from 2D photographs of males and females aged 7 to 21 (Study 2; Bolivian Tsimane, n = 179), which were used to calculate three fWHR variants (which we call fWHRnasion, fWHRstomion, and fWHRbrow) and two other common facial masculinity ratios (facial width-to-lower-face-height ratio, fWHRlower, and cheekbone prominence). We test whether the observed pattern of facial development exhibits patterns indicative of SSCs, i.e., differential adolescent growth in either male or female facial morphology leading to an adult sex difference. Results showed that only fWHRlower exhibited both adult sex differences as well as the classic pattern of ontogeny for SSCs-greater lower-face growth in male adolescents relative to females. fWHRbrow was significantly wider among both pre- and post-pubertal males in the Bolivian Tsimane sample; post-hoc analyses revealed that the effect was driven by large sex differences in brow height, with females having higher placed brows than males across ages. In both samples, all fWHR measures were inversely associated with age; that is, human facial growth is characterized by greater relative elongation in the mid-face and lower face relative to facial width. This trend continues even into middle adulthood. BMI was also a positive predictor of most of the ratios across ages, with greater BMI associated with wider faces. Researchers collecting data on fWHR should target fWHRlower and fWHRbrow and should control for both age and BMI. Researchers should also compare ratio approaches with multivariate techniques, such as geometric morphometrics, to examine whether the latter have greater utility for understanding the evolution of facial sexual dimorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn R Hodges-Simeon
- Department of Anthropology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Graham Albert
- Department of Anthropology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - George B Richardson
- School of Human Services, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Timothy S McHale
- Department of Anthropology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Anthropology and Museum Studies, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Washington, United States of America
| | - Seth M Weinberg
- Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Anthropology, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Michael Gurven
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America
| | - Steven J C Gaulin
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America
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Albert G, Wells E, Arnocky S, Liu CH, Hodges‐Simeon CR. Observers use facial masculinity to make physical dominance assessments following 100-ms exposure. Aggress Behav 2021; 47:226-235. [PMID: 33244752 DOI: 10.1002/ab.21941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Research has consistently demonstrated that faces manipulated to appear more masculine are perceived as more dominant. These studies, however, have used forced-choice paradigms, in which a pair of masculinized and feminized faces was presented side by side. These studies are susceptible to demand characteristics, because participants may be able to draw the conclusion that faces which appear more masculine should be rated as more dominant. To prevent this, we tested if dominance could be perceived when masculinized or feminized faces were presented individually for only 100 ms. We predicted higher dominance ratings to masculinized faces and better memory of them in a surprise recognition memory test. In the experiment, 96 men rated the physical dominance of 40 facial photographs (masculinized = 20, feminized = 20), which were randomly drawn from a larger set of faces. This was followed by a surprise recognition memory test. Half of the participants were assigned to a condition in which the contours of the facial photographs were set to an oval to control for sexual dimorphism in face shape. Overall, men assigned higher dominance ratings to masculinized faces, suggesting that they can appraise differences in facial sexual dimorphism following very brief exposure. This effect occurred regardless of whether the outline of the face was set to an oval, suggesting that masculinized internal facial features were sufficient to affect dominance ratings. However, participants' recognition memory did not differ for masculinized and feminized faces, which could be due to a floor effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham Albert
- Department of Anthropology Boston University Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Erika Wells
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences Boston University Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Steven Arnocky
- Department of Psychology Nipissing University North Bay Ontario Canada
| | - Chang Hong Liu
- Department of Psychology Bournemouth University Bournemouth UK
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Aung T, Rosenfield KA, Puts D. Male voice pitch mediates the relationship between objective and perceived formidability. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2020.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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21
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Zhang J, Hodges-Simeon C, Gaulin SJ, Reid SA. Pitch lowering enhances men's perceived aggressive intent, not fighting ability. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2020.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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22
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Richardson T, Waddington M, Gilman RT. Young, formidable men show greater sensitivity to facial cues of dominance. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2020.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Voice Pitch – A Valid Indicator of One’s Unfaithfulness in Committed Relationships? ADAPTIVE HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40750-020-00154-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
When judging a male speakers’ likelihood to act sexually unfaithful in a committed relationship, listeners rely on the speakers’ voice pitch such that lower voice pitch is perceived as indicating being more unfaithful. In line with this finding, a recent study (Schild et al. Behavioral Ecology, 2020) provided first evidence that voice pitch might indeed be a valid cue to sexual infidelity in men. In this study, male speakers with lower voice pitch, as indicated by lower mean fundamental frequency (mean F0), were actually more likely to report having been sexually unfaithful in the past. Although these results fit the literature on vocal perceptions in contexts of sexual selection, the study was, as stated by the authors, underpowered. Further, the study solely focused on male speakers, which leaves it open whether these findings are also transferable to female speakers.
Methods
We reanalyzed three datasets (Asendorpf et al. European Journal of Personality, 25, 16–30, 2011; Penke and Asendorpf Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95, 1113–1135, 2008; Stern et al. 2020) that include voice recordings and infidelity data of overall 865 individuals (63,36% female) in order to test the replicability of and further extend past research.
Results
A significant negative link between mean F0 and self-reported infidelity was found in only one out of two datasets for men and only one out of three datasets for women. Two meta-analyses (accounting for the sample sizes and including data of Schild et al. 2020), however, suggest that lower mean F0 might be a valid indicator of higher probability of self-reported infidelity in both men and women.
Conclusions
In line with prior research, higher masculinity, as indicated by lower mean F0, seems to be linked to self-reported infidelity in both men and women. However, given methodological shortcomings, future studies should set out to further delve into these findings.
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Kordsmeyer TL, Thies YTK, Ekrami O, Stern J, Schild C, Spoiala C, Claes P, Van Dongen S, Penke L. No evidence for an association between facial fluctuating asymmetry and vocal attractiveness in men or women. EVOLUTIONARY HUMAN SCIENCES 2020; 2:e35. [PMID: 37588384 PMCID: PMC10427465 DOI: 10.1017/ehs.2020.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Facial fluctuating asymmetry (FA), presumably a proxy measure of developmental instability, has been proposed to inversely relate to vocal attractiveness, which may convey information on heritable fitness benefits. Using an improved method of measuring facial FA, we sought to replicate two recent studies that showed an inverse correlation of facial FA with vocal attractiveness. In two samples of men (N = 165) and women (N = 157), we investigated the association of automatically measured facial FA based on 3D face scans with male and female observer-rated attractiveness of voice recordings. No significant associations were found for men or women, also when controlling for facial attractiveness, age, and body mass index. Equivalence tests show that effect sizes were significantly smaller than previous meta-analytic effects, providing robust evidence against a link of facial FA with vocal attractiveness. Thus, our study contradicts earlier findings that vocal attractiveness may signal genetic quality in humans via an association with FA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias L. Kordsmeyer
- Department of Psychology and Leibniz Science Campus, Primate Cognition, University of Goettingen, Gosslerstr. 14, 37073Goettingen, Germany
| | - Yasmin T. K. Thies
- Department of Psychology and Leibniz Science Campus, Primate Cognition, University of Goettingen, Gosslerstr. 14, 37073Goettingen, Germany
| | - Omid Ekrami
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Julia Stern
- Department of Psychology and Leibniz Science Campus, Primate Cognition, University of Goettingen, Gosslerstr. 14, 37073Goettingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Schild
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, 1353Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cristina Spoiala
- Nivel, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Otterstraat 118, 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Claes
- Department of Electrical Engineering–ESAT & Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefan Van Dongen
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Lars Penke
- Department of Psychology and Leibniz Science Campus, Primate Cognition, University of Goettingen, Gosslerstr. 14, 37073Goettingen, Germany
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Introduction to the Special Edition: Intra-Sexual Selection and the Evolution of Male Facial Threat and Dominance Displays. ADAPTIVE HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40750-020-00142-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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26
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Aung T, Puts D. Voice pitch: a window into the communication of social power. Curr Opin Psychol 2020; 33:154-161. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Stower RE, Lee AJ, McIntosh TL, Sidari MJ, Sherlock JM, Dixson BJW. Mating Strategies and the Masculinity Paradox: How Relationship Context, Relationship Status, and Sociosexuality Shape Women's Preferences for Facial Masculinity and Beardedness. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2020; 49:809-820. [PMID: 31016490 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-019-1437-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
According to the dual mating strategy model, in short-term mating contexts women should forego paternal investment qualities in favor of mates with well-developed secondary sexual characteristics and dominant behavioral displays. We tested whether this model explains variation in women's preferences for facial masculinity and beardedness in male faces. Computer-generated composites that had been morphed to appear ± 50% masculine were rated by 671 heterosexual women (M age = 31.72 years, SD = 6.43) for attractiveness when considering them as a short-term partner, long-term partner, a co-parent, or a friend. They then completed the Revised Sociosexual Inventory (SOI-R) to determine their sexual openness on dimensions of desire, behavior, and attitudes. Results showed that women's preferences were strongest for average facial masculinity, followed by masculinized faces, with feminized faces being least attractive. In contrast to past research, facial masculinity preferences were stronger when judging for co-parenting partners than for short-term mates. Facial masculinity preferences were also positively associated with behavioral SOI, negatively with desire, and were unrelated to global or attitudinal SOI. Women gave higher ratings for full beards than clean-shaven faces. Preferences for beards were higher for co-parenting and long-term relationships than short-term relationships, although these differences were not statistically significant. Preferences for facial hair were positively associated with global and attitudinal SOI, but were unrelated to behavioral SOI and desire. Although further replication is necessary, our findings indicate that sexual openness is associated with women's preferences for men's facial hair and suggest variation in the association between sociosexuality and women's facial masculinity preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E Stower
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Anthony J Lee
- Division of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, UK
| | - Toneya L McIntosh
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Morgan J Sidari
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - James M Sherlock
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Barnaby J W Dixson
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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28
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Zhu N, Chang L. An evolutionary life history explanation of sexism and gender inequality. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2019.109806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Multivariate Intra-Sexual Selection on Men’s Perceptions of Male Facial Morphology. ADAPTIVE HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40750-020-00128-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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30
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Sacco DF, Holifield K, Drea K, Brown M, Macchione A. Dad and Mom Bods? Inferences of Parenting Ability from Bodily Cues. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40806-020-00229-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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31
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Clarkson TR, Sidari MJ, Sains R, Alexander M, Harrison M, Mefodeva V, Pearson S, Lee AJ, Dixson BJW. A multivariate analysis of women's mating strategies and sexual selection on men's facial morphology. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:191209. [PMID: 32218951 PMCID: PMC7029899 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.191209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The strength and direction of sexual selection via female choice on masculine facial traits in men is a paradox in human mate choice research. While masculinity may communicate benefits to women and offspring directly (i.e. resources) or indirectly (i.e. health), masculine men may be costly as long-term partners owing to lower paternal investment. Mating strategy theory suggests women's preferences for masculine traits are strongest when the costs associated with masculinity are reduced. This study takes a multivariate approach to testing whether women's mate preferences are context-dependent. Women (n = 919) rated attractiveness when considering long-term and short-term relationships for male faces varying in beardedness (clean-shaven and full beards) and facial masculinity (30% and 60% feminized, unmanipulated, 30% and 60% masculinized). Participants then completed scales measuring pathogen, sexual and moral disgust, disgust towards ectoparasites, reproductive ambition, self-perceived mate value and the facial hair in partners and fathers. In contrast to past research, we found no associations between pathogen disgust, self-perceived mate value or reproductive ambition and facial masculinity preferences. However, we found a significant positive association between moral disgust and preferences for masculine faces and bearded faces. Preferences for beards were lower among women with higher ectoparasite disgust, providing evidence for ectoparasite avoidance hypothesis. However, women reporting higher pathogen disgust gave higher attractiveness ratings for bearded faces than women reporting lower pathogen disgust, providing support for parasite-stress theories of sexual selection and mate choice. Preferences for beards were also highest among single and married women with the strongest reproductive ambition. Overall, our results reflect mixed associations between individual differences in mating strategies and women's mate preferences for masculine facial traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa R. Clarkson
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Morgan J. Sidari
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rosanna Sains
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Meredith Alexander
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Melissa Harrison
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Valeriya Mefodeva
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Samuel Pearson
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Anthony J. Lee
- Division of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, UK
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33
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Schild C, Stern J, Zettler I. Linking men's voice pitch to actual and perceived trustworthiness across domains. Behav Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Previous research suggests that judgments about a male speaker's trustworthiness vary due to the speaker's voice pitch (mean F0) and differ across domains. However, mixed results in terms of the direction and extent of such effects have been reported. Moreover, no study so far has investigated whether men's mean F0 is, indeed, a valid cue to their self-reported and behavioral trustworthiness, and whether trustworthiness judgments are accurate. We tested the relation between mean F0 and actual general, economic, and mating-related trustworthiness in 181 men, as well as trustworthiness judgments of 95 perceivers across all three domains. Analyses show that men's mean F0 is not related to Honesty–Humility (as a trait indicator of general trustworthiness), trustworthy intentions, or trust game behavior, suggesting no relation of mean F0 to general or economic trustworthiness. In contrast, results suggest that mean F0 might be related to mating-related trustworthiness (as indicated by self-reported relationship infidelity). However, lower mean F0 was judged as more trustworthy in economic but less trustworthy in mating-related domains and rather weakly related to judgments of general trustworthiness. Trustworthiness judgments were not accurate for general or economic trustworthiness, but exploratory analyses suggest that women might be able to accurately judge men's relationship infidelity based on their voice pitch. Next to these analyses, we report exploratory analyses involving and controlling for additional voice parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Schild
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julia Stern
- Department of Psychology and Leibniz Science Campus Primate Cognition, University of Goettingen, Gosslerstrasse, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Ingo Zettler
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Saxton TK, McCarty K, Caizley J, McCarrick D, Pollet TV. Hungry people prefer larger bodies and objects: The importance of testing boundary effects. Br J Psychol 2019; 111:492-507. [PMID: 31373691 DOI: 10.1111/bjop.12417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Several lab-based studies have indicated that when people are hungry, they judge larger women's bodies as more attractive, compared to when they are satiated. These satiety-dependent judgements are assumed to provide explanatory power when it comes to the noted cross-cultural differences in attitudes towards women's adiposity, whereby people who live in regions that are under greater nutritional stress tend to have more favourable attitudes towards bigger bodies. However, it is premature to assume that women's bodies are the proper or actual domain of the satiety-dependent judgement shifts found within research study testing contexts until stimuli other than female bodies have also been tested: The research programme falls into the trap of confirmation bias unless we also seek out disconfirmatory evidence and test the boundaries of the effects of hunger. Accordingly, we collected attractiveness judgements of female and male bodies manipulated to vary in size by varying level of adiposity, and objects manipulated to vary in size, from 186 participants who also reported their current hunger level. We found that larger sizes of stimuli in general, and women's bodies in particular, especially when judged by women, were judged as more attractive by the hungrier participants. We discuss these patterns in the context of the Insurance Hypothesis, the Environmental Security Hypothesis, and the impact of hunger on acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamsin K Saxton
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Kristofor McCarty
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Jasmine Caizley
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Dane McCarrick
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Thomas V Pollet
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Fernandez AM, Muñoz-Reyes JA, Buunk AP, Pavez P, Figueroa O. Attachment and intrasexual competitiveness in committed individuals from chile. INTERPERSONA: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS 2019. [DOI: 10.5964/ijpr.v13i1.326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The present research examined the association between intrasexual competitiveness (as an adaptive feature of human mating) and adult attachment dimensions (which develop throughout ontogeny and are relatively stable patterns of relationship approaching in adulthood), postulating that the dimensions of attachment will be predictive of intrasexual competitiveness (the negative perception of same sex-others as potential mating rivals), but in particular attachment anxiety should be correlated to intrasexual competitiveness. We assessed intrasexual competitiveness and the attachment dimensions (closeness, dependence, anxiety, and avoidance) in a sample of 323 adult heterosexual men and women which were currently involved in a romantic relationship and were married or in a cohabiting living arrangement. The results show the expected prediction of intrasexual competitiveness by attachment anxiety, but not by any other adult attachment dimension, suggesting that individuals who develop attachment anxiety are characterized by increased same-sex rivalry and competitiveness, which may negatively affect their same-sex close relationships, in addition to other interpersonal realms.
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36
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Dixson BJW, Kennedy-Costantini S, Lee AJ, Nelson NL. Mothers are sensitive to men's beards as a potential cue of paternal investment. Horm Behav 2019; 113:55-66. [PMID: 30978339 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Mating strategy theories assert that women's preferences for androgen dependent traits in men are stronger when the costs of reduced paternal investment are lowest. Past research has shown that preferences for facial masculinity are stronger among nulliparous and non-pregnant women than pregnant or parous women. In two studies, we examine patterns in women's preferences for men's facial hair - likely the most visually conspicuous and sexually dimorphic of men's secondary sexual traits - when evaluating men's masculinity, dominance, age, fathering, and attractiveness. Two studies were conducted among heterosexual pregnant women, mothers, non-contractive and contraceptive users. Study 1 used a between-subjects sample (N = 2103) and found that mothers had significantly higher preferences for beards when judging fathering than all other women. Pregnant women and mothers also judged beards as more masculine and older, but less attractive, than non-contractive and contraceptive users. Parous women judged beards higher for age, masculinity and fathering, but lower for attractiveness, than nulliparous women. Irrespective of reproductive status, beards were judged as looking more dominant than clean-shaven faces. Study 2 used a within-subjects design (N = 53) among women surveyed during pregnancy and three months post-partum. Judgments of parenting skills were higher for bearded stimuli during pregnancy among women having their first baby, whereas among parous women parenting skills judgments for bearded stimuli were higher post-partum. Our results suggest that mothers are sensitive to beardedness as a masculine secondary sexual characteristic that may denote parental investment, providing evidence that women's mate preferences could reflect sexual selection for direct benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnaby J W Dixson
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane 4072, QLD, Australia.
| | | | | | - Nicole L Nelson
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane 4072, QLD, Australia
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37
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Sex Differences for Preferences of Shoulder to Hip Ratio in Men and Women: an Eye Tracking Study. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s40806-019-00198-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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38
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Pereira KJ, Varella MAC, Kleisner K, Pavlovič O, Valentova JV. Positive association between facial and vocal femininity/masculinity in women but not in men. Behav Processes 2019; 164:25-29. [PMID: 31002841 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Multicomponent stimuli improve information reception. In women, perceived facial and vocal femininity-masculinity (FM) are concordant; however, mixed results are found for men. Some feminine and masculine traits are related to sex hormone action and can indicate reproductive qualities. However, most of the current research about human mate choice focuses on isolated indicators, especially visual assessment of faces. We therefore examined the cross-modal concordance hypothesis by testing correlations between perceptions of FM based on facial, vocal, and behavioral stimuli. Standardized facial pictures, vocal recordings and dance videos of 38 men and 41 women, aged 18-35 years, were rated by 21 male and 43 female students, aged 18-35 years, on 100-point scale (0 = very feminine; 100 = very masculine). All participants were Brazilian students from University of Sao Paulo. In women, facial and vocal FM correlated positively, suggesting concordant information about mate quality. Such results were not found in men, indicating multiple messages, which agree with women's multifaceted preference for male FM. In both sexes, FM of dance did not correlate with voices or faces, indicating different information and distinct process of development. We thus partially supported the cross-modal concordance hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Janaina Pereira
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | - Karel Kleisner
- Department of Philosophy and History of Science, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Pavlovič
- Department of Philosophy and History of Science, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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39
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Raine J, Pisanski K, Bond R, Simner J, Reby D. Human roars communicate upper-body strength more effectively than do screams or aggressive and distressed speech. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213034. [PMID: 30830931 PMCID: PMC6398857 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite widespread evidence that nonverbal components of human speech (e.g., voice pitch) communicate information about physical attributes of vocalizers and that listeners can judge traits such as strength and body size from speech, few studies have examined the communicative functions of human nonverbal vocalizations (such as roars, screams, grunts and laughs). Critically, no previous study has yet to examine the acoustic correlates of strength in nonverbal vocalisations, including roars, nor identified reliable vocal cues to strength in human speech. In addition to being less acoustically constrained than articulated speech, agonistic nonverbal vocalizations function primarily to express motivation and emotion, such as threat, and may therefore communicate strength and body size more effectively than speech. Here, we investigated acoustic cues to strength and size in roars compared to screams and speech sentences produced in both aggressive and distress contexts. Using playback experiments, we then tested whether listeners can reliably infer a vocalizer's actual strength and height from roars, screams, and valenced speech equivalents, and which acoustic features predicted listeners' judgments. While there were no consistent acoustic cues to strength in any vocal stimuli, listeners accurately judged inter-individual differences in strength, and did so most effectively from aggressive voice stimuli (roars and aggressive speech). In addition, listeners more accurately judged strength from roars than from aggressive speech. In contrast, listeners' judgments of height were most accurate for speech stimuli. These results support the prediction that vocalizers maximize impressions of physical strength in aggressive compared to distress contexts, and that inter-individual variation in strength may only be honestly communicated in vocalizations that function to communicate threat, particularly roars. Thus, in continuity with nonhuman mammals, the acoustic structure of human aggressive roars may have been selected to communicate, and to some extent exaggerate, functional cues to physical formidability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Raine
- Mammal Vocal Communication and Cognition Research Group, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Katarzyna Pisanski
- Mammal Vocal Communication and Cognition Research Group, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
- Equipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, ENES/Neuro-PSI CNRS UMR 9197, Bioacoustics Team, University of Lyon/Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Rod Bond
- Mammal Vocal Communication and Cognition Research Group, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Julia Simner
- MULTISENSE Research Lab, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - David Reby
- Mammal Vocal Communication and Cognition Research Group, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
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40
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Marcinkowska UM, Rantala MJ, Lee AJ, Kozlov MV, Aavik T, Cai H, Contreras-Garduño J, David OA, Kaminski G, Li NP, Onyishi IE, Prasai K, Pazhoohi F, Prokop P, Cardozo SLR, Sydney N, Taniguchi H, Krams I, Dixson BJW. Women's preferences for men's facial masculinity are strongest under favorable ecological conditions. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3387. [PMID: 30833635 PMCID: PMC6399235 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39350-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The strength of sexual selection on secondary sexual traits varies depending on prevailing economic and ecological conditions. In humans, cross-cultural evidence suggests women’s preferences for men’s testosterone dependent masculine facial traits are stronger under conditions where health is compromised, male mortality rates are higher and economic development is higher. Here we use a sample of 4483 exclusively heterosexual women from 34 countries and employ mixed effects modelling to test how social, ecological and economic variables predict women’s facial masculinity preferences. We report women’s preferences for more masculine looking men are stronger in countries with higher sociosexuality and where national health indices and human development indices are higher, while no associations were found between preferences and indices of intra-sexual competition. Our results show that women’s preferences for masculine faces are stronger under conditions where offspring survival is higher and economic conditions are more favorable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula M Marcinkowska
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.,Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Anthony J Lee
- Division of Psychology, University of Stirling, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | | | - Toivo Aavik
- Institute of Psychology, University of Tartu, Turku, Estonia
| | - Huajian Cai
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | | | - Oana A David
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gwenaël Kaminski
- CLLE, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UT2J, Toulouse, 31058, France.,Institut Universitaire de France, 103 boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Norman P Li
- School of Social Sciences, Singapore Management University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ike E Onyishi
- Department of Psychology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | | | - Farid Pazhoohi
- Department of Basic Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Pavol Prokop
- Department of Biology, Trnava University, Trnava, Slovakia.,Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Nicolle Sydney
- Department of Zoology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Hirokazu Taniguchi
- Department of Educational Psychology, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Indrikis Krams
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia.,Department of Biotechnology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia
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41
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Nicolini Y, Tramacere A, Parmigiani S, Dadomo H. Back to Stir It Up: Erectile Dysfunction in an Evolutionary, Developmental, and Clinical Perspective. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2019; 56:378-390. [PMID: 29932774 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2018.1480743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we analyze erectile dysfunction (ED) in the context of sexual selection. We highlight that ED is a specific human male characteristic linked to the loss of the baculum or penile bone and results from a range of physical and psychological factors. We discuss evolutionary interpretations that consider dysfunctional penile erection as an honest signal of a low-quality male. We further emphasize the importance of considering psychosocial context and early attachment dynamics for understanding the etiology of some types of ED. Finally, we suggest that the integration of developmental factors for understanding the emergence of this sexual disorder is instrumental for the calibration of more effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ylenia Nicolini
- a Unit of Neuroscience, Department of Medicine and Surgery , University of Parma
| | - Antonella Tramacere
- b Lichtenberg-Kolleg/The Göttingen Institute for Advanced Study and the German Primate Center/Leibniz Institute for Primate Research , Georg-August-Universität Göttingen; Max Planck for the Science of Human History , Jena , Germany
| | - Stefano Parmigiani
- c Evolutionary and Functional Biology Unit, Department of Chemistry , Life Sciences and Sustainability, University of Parma
| | - Harold Dadomo
- a Unit of Neuroscience, Department of Medicine and Surgery , University of Parma
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42
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Conlon KE. Mate Retention Strategies of Dominance-Oriented and Prestige-Oriented Romantic Partners. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s40806-019-00189-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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43
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Schild C, Feinberg DR, Puts DA, Jünger J, Fasolt V, Holzleitner I, O'Shea K, Lai R, Arslan R, Hahn A, Cárdenas RA, DeBruine LM, Jones BC. TEMPORARY REMOVAL: Are attractive female voices really best characterized by feminine fundamental and formant frequencies? EVOL HUM BEHAV 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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44
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Cross-Cultural Variation in women’s Preferences for men’s Body Hair. ADAPTIVE HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s40750-019-0107-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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45
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Třebický V, Fialová J, Stella D, Coufalová K, Pavelka R, Kleisner K, Kuba R, Štěrbová Z, Havlíček J. Predictors of Fighting Ability Inferences Based on Faces. Front Psychol 2019; 9:2740. [PMID: 30697180 PMCID: PMC6341000 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Facial perception plays a key role in various social interactions, including formidability assessments. People make relatively accurate inferences about men's physical strength, aggressiveness, and success in physical confrontations based on facial cues. The physical factors related to the perception of fighting ability and their relative contribution have not been investigated yet, since most existing studies employed only a limited number of threat potential measures or proxies. In the present study, we collected data from Czech Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters regarding their fighting success and physical performance in order to test physical predictors of perceived fighting ability made on the basis of high-fidelity facial photographs. We have also explored the relationship between perceived and actual fighting ability. We created standardized 360° photographs of 44 MMA fighters which were assessed on their perceived fighting ability by 94 raters (46 males). Further, we obtained data regarding their physical characteristics (e.g., age, height, body composition) and performance (MMA score, isometric strength, anaerobic performance, lung capacity). In contrast to previous studies, we did not find any significant links between the actual and the perceived fighting ability. The results of a multiple regression analysis have, however, shown that heavier fighters and those with higher anaerobic performance were judged as more successful. Our results suggest that certain physical performance-related characteristics are mirrored in individuals' faces but assessments of fighting success based on facial cues are not congruent with actual fighting performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vít Třebický
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
- Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
| | - Jitka Fialová
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
- Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
| | - David Stella
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
- Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
| | - Klára Coufalová
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Radim Pavelka
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Karel Kleisner
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
- Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
| | - Radim Kuba
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Zuzana Štěrbová
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
- Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
| | - Jan Havlíček
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
- Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
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46
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Suire A, Raymond M, Barkat-Defradas M. Human vocal behavior within competitive and courtship contexts and its relation to mating success. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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47
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Gleeson BT, Kushnick G. Female status, food security, and stature sexual dimorphism: Testing mate choice as a mechanism in human self-domestication. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2018; 167:458-469. [PMID: 30159867 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Humans exhibit multiple anatomical and behavioral signatures of domestication syndrome, leading evolutionary-minded scholars to suggest Homo sapiens is a "self-domesticated" species. We examined one of three mechanisms proposed to explain human self-domestication-that is, intersexual selection against reactive aggression. We hypothesized that this process has been, at least in part, caused by context-dependent female preferences for less-aggressive males. We predicted that societies where women have higher social status will show relatively elevated signs of self-domestication-as indicated by lower stature sexual dimorphism (SSD)-and that this relationship should be mediated by food security. MATERIALS AND METHODS To test our prediction, we used male and female stature data for 28 societies from the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample. We applied multivariate regression to examine our hypothesis while controlling for theoretically important confounders. RESULTS We found convincing support for the prediction that the relationship between SSD and female status is mediated by food security. As predicted, higher female status was associated with less sexual dimorphism and the effect is stronger when food resources are secure. DISCUSSION Context-dependent female mate choices significantly contribute to lower SSD, suggesting female mate choice is likely to have played an influential role in human self-domestication. Future research on this theme will benefit by including more of the expected symptoms of human self-domestication and examining other potential drivers of this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Thomas Gleeson
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Geoff Kushnick
- School of Archaeology and Anthropology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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Foo YZ, Simmons LW, Peters M, Rhodes G. Perceived physical strength in men is attractive to women but may come at a cost to ejaculate quality. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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49
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Dixson BJW, Blake KR, Denson TF, Gooda-Vossos A, O'Dean SM, Sulikowski D, Rantala MJ, Brooks RC. The role of mating context and fecundability in women's preferences for men's facial masculinity and beardedness. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 93:90-102. [PMID: 29705577 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The ovulatory shift hypothesis proposes that women's preferences for masculine physical and behavioral traits are greater at the peri-ovulatory period than at other points of the menstrual cycle. However, many previous studies used self-reported menstrual cycle data to estimate fecundability rather than confirming the peri-ovulatory phase hormonally. Here we report two studies and three analyses revisiting the ovulatory shift hypothesis with respect to both facial masculinity and beardedness. In Study 1, a large sample of female participants (N = 2,161) self-reported their cycle phase and provided ratings for faces varying in beardedness (clean-shaven, light stubble, heavy stubble, full beards) and masculinity (-50%, -25%, natural, +25% and +50%) in a between-subjects design. In Study 2, 68 women provided the same ratings data, in a within-subjects design in which fertility was confirmed via luteinising hormone (LH) tests and analysed categorically. In Study 2, we also measured salivary estradiol (E) and progesterone (P) at the low and high fertility phases of the menstrual cycle among 36 of these women and tested whether shifts in E, P or E:P ratios predicted face preferences. Preferences for facial masculinity and beardedness did not vary as predicted with fecundability in Study 1, or with respect to fertility as confirmed via LH in Study 2. However, consistent with the ovulatory shift hypothesis, increasing E (associated with cyclical increases in fecundability) predicted increases in preferences for relatively more masculine faces; while high P (associated with cyclical decreases in fecundability) predicted increases in preferences for relatively more feminine faces. We also found an interaction between E and preferences for facial masculinity and beardedness, such that stubble was more attractive on un-manipulated than more masculine faces among women with high E. We consider discrepancies between our findings and those of other recent studies and suggest that closer scrutiny of the stimuli used to measure masculinity preferences across studies may help account for the many conflicting findings that have recently appeared regarding cycle phase preference shifts for facial masculinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnaby J W Dixson
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Khandis R Blake
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney 2052 NSW, Australia
| | | | - Amany Gooda-Vossos
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney 2052 NSW, Australia
| | | | | | - Markus J Rantala
- Turku Brain and Mind Center, Section of Department of Biology, FI-20014, University of Turku, Finland
| | - Robert C Brooks
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney 2052 NSW, Australia
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50
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Jünger J, Kordsmeyer TL, Gerlach TM, Penke L. Fertile women evaluate male bodies as more attractive, regardless of masculinity. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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