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Downright Sexy: Verticality, Implicit Power, And Perceived Physical Attractiveness, Brian P. Meier, Sarah G. Dionne
Downright Sexy: Verticality, Implicit Power, And Perceived Physical Attractiveness, Brian P. Meier, Sarah G. Dionne
Psychology Faculty Publications
Grounded theory proposes that abstract concepts (e.g., power) are represented by perceptions of vertical space (e.g., up is powerful; down is powerless). We used this theory to examine predictions made by evolutionary psychologists who suggest that desirable males are those who have status and resources (i.e., powerful) while desirable females are those who are youthful and faithful (i.e., powerless). Using vertical position as an implicit cue for power, we found that male participants rated pictures of females as more attractive when their images were presented near the bottom of a computer screen, whereas female participants rated pictures of males as …
A Sex Difference In Facial Contrast And Its Exaggeration By Cosmetics, Richard Russell
A Sex Difference In Facial Contrast And Its Exaggeration By Cosmetics, Richard Russell
Psychology Faculty Publications
This study demonstrates the existence of a sex difference in facial contrast. By measuring carefully controlled photographic images, female faces were shown to have greater luminance contrast between the eyes, lips, and the surrounding skin than did male faces. This sex difference in facial contrast was found to influence the perception of facial gender. An androgynous face can be made to appear female by increasing the facial contrast, or to appear male by decreasing the facial contrast. Application of cosmetics was found to consistently increase facial contrast. Female faces wearing cosmetics had greater facial contrast than the same faces not …