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Primary Research

The focus of my questionnaire was on whether people's thoughts would match throughout. As it was the majority of the time their responses did not correlate.

A total of 25 people filled out my questionnaire, 8 males and 17 females. The participants ranged between 14 - 56 years of age.

Participants were asked to judge which image was more attractive. Each image was separated into 3 parts to focus on certain characteristics. The left image is the original, the right has been computer generated. Each time the edited photo was favored over the original.

Make Up

On all questions related to specific facial features the majority answered positively. These characteristics included large eyes, large lips, clear skin, small nose, high cheekbones, arched eyebrows, and symmetrical faces.

large eyes, shaped eyebrows

The main focus of my study was to determine whether people actively registered the decisions they made. This was true as the image with the "perfect" features was chosen the most. The computer generated image was chosen at 2/3 of the time. The face was created by averaging 10 real faces.

small nose,

high cheekbones

large lips,

clear skin,

symmetry

My data consistently showed a correlation in preference for sexually dimorphic, and perfect faces. However makeup which is used to enhance these traits, was said to not make a difference. This is confusing as my results mean makeup has a positive impact even though it doesn't make you prettier.

Summary

Thesis

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

"Beauty is Universal"

The subtle symmetries and asymmetries of the face can indicate health, genetics, and hygiene. Dimorphic facial features indicate estrogen levels, and possibly “youth and fertility” (Eisthenthal, 2006). Attraction is not present when similar genes exist in each person. Beauty is not an individual experience but an international standard, one which is experienced equally without a culture dependance. Humans are taken by awe inspiring faces because of the spontaneous desire to find the best mate possible. The attraction is instinctive – proving that beauty isn't just about a pretty face.

2.

Secondary Research

Conclusion

Humans are intrigued by these beautiful faces automatically, without knowledge of what triggers their attraction. One study showed even 2 month old baby's preferred some faces over others. The three aspects of beauty most commonly noted in research papers were facial symmetry, facial features, and healthy genetics.

  • People theoretically recognize the characteristics of attractive faces
  • People recognize "perfect" faces
  • makeup will not make you prettier
  • People look for certain characteristics subconsciously

Stroll down any street and eventually you will pass a face with a striking disposition. Despite all the faces you may have seen that day, some faces just seem to catch your attention. What causes such a strong reaction to these brilliant and captivating expressions? Each person is able to detect attractive pedestrians based off a single glimpse. These people may be of any gender, health, or sexual orientation; yet the mind can examine these faces rather nimble.

Facial Symmetry

Facial Features

Symmetry in terms of faces, is reached when the left side of the face mirrors the right. When faces are perfectly symmetrical they indicate a healthy fitness level and genetic quality. “Asymmetry is assumed to signal low resistance to disease and susceptibility to parasites,” (Zaidel, 2005). Past studies have shown that despite symmetrical faces indicate a better mate, people are not as a attracted to photos of perfect symmetry. When photos were mirrored either left-left or right-right the photographed model was deemed less beautiful then in the original photo. In contrast, morphing or digitally edited faces were deemed more beautiful then the originals. The idea that the brain searches for symmetry

as a means of beauty is false, the brain prefers faces with

small asymmetries to those with none at all.

Genetics

The features that make up an individual face vary considerably in correlation with a person's gender. Characteristics deemed feminine are more attractive to men seeking a female mate. “Research shows that men prefer women with full lips, smaller chins, and large eye” (Alkon, 2010), these characteristics are an indication of high levels of Estrogen; women who wear make-up to replicate these features are sexually appealing to men (Cash, 1989). The make-up does not alternate how another woman judges her beauty, proving the alternate sexes notice different characteristics. “Sexually dimorphic traits, such as small chin, full lips, high cheekbones, narrow nose, and a generally small face”(Eisenthal, 2006) are sex-typical and “may indicate youth and fertility” in women (Eisenthal, 2006).

“It is important for genetic diversity that our mate not be too closely related to us (to limit inbreeding)”, (Guildford, 2009) this may be why we are not always attracted to people who are, in fact, attractive. It has been proven in past studies such as Guildford's (2009) that faces similar to our own are perceived as less attractive than average. While men and women can pass there “beauty” genes to their daughters, sons inherit these genes only from their mothers (Hot Dads).

1.

Beauty is Universal

“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.”

― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Pictures Cited

1. http://ushrspa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Facial-Proportion-and-Beauty-Webinar-300x221.png

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