Han, C., Li, X., Chen, X., Lei, X., Liao, C., Zhang, L., Li, B., Peng, X. and Morrison, E. R. (2022) The Autumn years: age differences in preferences for sexually dimorphic faces. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 51(6), pp. 2813-2821. (doi: 10.1007/s10508-021-02168-5) (PMID:34791579)
Full text not currently available from Enlighten.
Abstract
Life history theory proposes that it is adaptive for older people to shift investment away from reproductive effort (such as mating) to survivorship. However, it remains unclear whether the shift is also present at the psychological level. We investigated this question by comparing preferences for mate choice-relevant cues, sexually dimorphic facial images, between older (60 years and older, n = 92) and younger adults (18-40 years, n = 86). Results showed that older adults had significantly smaller preferences for sexually dimorphic faces of both sexes than young adults. Specifically, both older men and women showed no significant preferences for sexually dimorphic traits when judging opposite-sex faces, and smaller preferences for masculine male faces and feminine female faces when judging same-sex faces. Young adults generally showed strong preferences for masculine male faces and feminine female faces. In Study 2, we confirmed that the absent/reduced preferences in older adults for sexually dimorphic faces did not result from poor visual ability. The smaller preferences for sexually dimorphic facial cues in older adults compared to young adults suggest that older adults may shift away from mating-oriented psychology as they become less fertile.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | This study was supported by Hangzhou Normal University Starting Fund (Grant Number RWSK20210404) awarded to CH. |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Zhang, Lingshan |
| Authors: | Han, C., Li, X., Chen, X., Lei, X., Liao, C., Zhang, L., Li, B., Peng, X., and Morrison, E. R. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience |
| Journal Name: | Archives of Sexual Behavior |
| Publisher: | Springer |
| ISSN: | 0004-0002 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1573-2800 |
| Published Online: | 17 November 2021 |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record
Altmetric
Altmetric