Little, A.C., Jones, B.C. , Waitt, C., Tiddeman, B.P., Feinberg, D.R., Perrett, D.I., Apicella, C.A. and Marlowe, F.W. (2008) Symmetry is related to sexual dimorphism in faces: data across culture and species. PLoS ONE, 3(5), e2106. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0002106)
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Abstract
<p>Background: Many animals both display and assess multiple signals. Two prominently studied traits are symmetry and sexual dimorphism, which, for many animals, are proposed cues to heritable fitness benefits. These traits are associated with other potential benefits, such as fertility. In humans, the face has been extensively studied in terms of attractiveness. Faces have the potential to be advertisements of mate quality and both symmetry and sexual dimorphism have been linked to the attractiveness of human face shape.</p> <p>Methodology/Principal Findings: Here we show that measurements of symmetry and sexual dimorphism from faces are related in humans, both in Europeans and African hunter-gatherers, and in a non-human primate. Using human judges, symmetry measurements were also related to perceived sexual dimorphism. In all samples, symmetric males had more masculine facial proportions and symmetric females had more feminine facial proportions.</p> <p>Conclusions/Significance: Our findings support the claim that sexual dimorphism and symmetry in faces are signals advertising quality by providing evidence that there must be a biological mechanism linking the two traits during development. Such data also suggests that the signalling properties of faces are universal across human populations and are potentially phylogenetically old in primates.</p>
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Jones, Professor Benedict |
Authors: | Little, A.C., Jones, B.C., Waitt, C., Tiddeman, B.P., Feinberg, D.R., Perrett, D.I., Apicella, C.A., and Marlowe, F.W. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience |
Journal Name: | PLoS ONE |
Publisher: | Public Library of Science |
ISSN: | 1932-6203 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2008 The Authors |
First Published: | First published in PLoS ONE 3(5):e2106 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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