Do impressions of health, dominance, and warmth explain why masculine faces are preferred more in a short-term mate?

Original article:

Do impressions of health, dominance, and warmth explain why masculine faces are preferred more in a short-term mate?

Evolutionary Psychology 5(1): 15-27 Victor X. Luevano, Department of Psychology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA, vluevano@brandeis.eduLeslie A. Zebrowitz, Department of Psychology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA

Abstract

Men high in facial masculinity are preferred more as a short-term partner (STP) than a long-term partner (LTP). We used a representative sample of natural faces to examine whether the greater preference for masculine-looking men as a STP could be explained by the fact that they look healthier, more dominant, or lower in warmth. None of these attributes explained the greater preference for facial masculinity in a STP. Rather, masculinity mediated the greater preference for healthy and dominant looking men as a STP. Women also preferred men who appeared high in warmth more as a LTP than a STP, an effect independent of facial masculinity, but mediated by facial expression. Our results suggest that women do not prefer masculine- looking men more as a STP than a LTP simply because they look healthier, more dominant, or less warm.

Keywords

Attractiveness, Facial masculinity, Health, Dominance, Paternal investment

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