Title
Male facial cues to physical strength in Europe: Medium‐strength preference and higher aggressiveness attribution to the weakest
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Abstract
Objectives: The capacity to assess male physical strength from facial cues may be adaptive given health and fitness-related associations with muscular strength. Our study complements recent research on strength-related face perceptions of male Maasai by applying the protocol to male European faces and assessors. Methods: Five distinct facial morphs calibrated for handgrip strength (HGS) were manufactured with geometric morphometrics performing regressions of the Procrustes shape coordinates on HGS in a sample of 26 European men (18–32 years). Young adult men and women (n = 445) rated these morphs on physical strength, attractiveness, and aggressiveness. Results: Facial morphs calibrated to lower HGS were rated as less strong, less attractive, and more aggressive than those calibrated to higher HGS. Medium levels of HGS were associated with the highest attractiveness ratings. Conclusions: The rating patterns of physical strength, attractiveness, and aggressiveness for European male facial morphs exhibit similarity to previous ratings of Maasai male faces. Therefore, the current findings corroborate the suggestion of a common mechanism for social attributions based on facial cues to physical strength, modulated by local ecology and societal context.
Object type
Language
English [eng]
Persistent identifier
https://phaidra.univie.ac.at/o:2090123
Appeared in
Title
American Journal of Human Biology
Volume
36
Issue
6
ISSN
1042-0533
Issued
2024
Publisher
Wiley
Date issued
2024
Access rights
Rights statement
© 2024 The Authors
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