Effects of symmetry and familiarity on the attractiveness of human faces

The effects of both symmetry (perceptual factor) and familiarity (cognitive factor) on facial attractiveness were investigated. From the photographs of original slightly asymmetric faces, symmetric left-left (LL) and right-right (RR) versions were generated. Familiarity was induced in the l...

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Main Authors: Mentus Tatjana, Marković Slobodan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Drustvo Psihologa Srbije 2016-01-01
Series:Psihologija
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0048-5705/2016/0048-57051603301M.pdf
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author Mentus Tatjana
Marković Slobodan
author_facet Mentus Tatjana
Marković Slobodan
author_sort Mentus Tatjana
collection DOAJ
description The effects of both symmetry (perceptual factor) and familiarity (cognitive factor) on facial attractiveness were investigated. From the photographs of original slightly asymmetric faces, symmetric left-left (LL) and right-right (RR) versions were generated. Familiarity was induced in the learning block using the repetitive presentation of original faces. In the test block participants rated the attractiveness of original, previously seen (familiar) faces, original, not previously seen faces, and both LL and RR versions of all faces. The analysis of variance showed main effects of symmetry. Post hoc tests revealed that asymmetric original faces were rated as more attractive than both LL and RR symmetric versions. Familiarity doesn’t have a significant main effect, but the symmetry-familiarity interaction was obtained. Additional post hoc tests indicated that facial attractiveness is positively associated with natural slight asymmetry rather than with perfect symmetry. Also, unfamiliar LL symmetric versions were rated as more attractive than familiar LL versions, whereas familiar RR versions were rated as more attractive than RR unfamiliar faces. These results suggested that symmetry (perceptual factor) and familiarity (cognitive or memorial factor) play differential roles in facial attractiveness, and indicate a relatively stronger effect of the perceptual compared to the cognitive factor. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. ON179018 i br. ON179033]
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spelling doaj.art-0e592bdb2d0449dbbea1c905d52f27272022-12-21T18:52:29ZengDrustvo Psihologa SrbijePsihologija0048-57051451-92832016-01-0149330131110.2298/PSI1603301M0048-57051603301MEffects of symmetry and familiarity on the attractiveness of human facesMentus Tatjana0Marković Slobodan1Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, BelgradeLaboratory of Experimental Psychology, BelgradeThe effects of both symmetry (perceptual factor) and familiarity (cognitive factor) on facial attractiveness were investigated. From the photographs of original slightly asymmetric faces, symmetric left-left (LL) and right-right (RR) versions were generated. Familiarity was induced in the learning block using the repetitive presentation of original faces. In the test block participants rated the attractiveness of original, previously seen (familiar) faces, original, not previously seen faces, and both LL and RR versions of all faces. The analysis of variance showed main effects of symmetry. Post hoc tests revealed that asymmetric original faces were rated as more attractive than both LL and RR symmetric versions. Familiarity doesn’t have a significant main effect, but the symmetry-familiarity interaction was obtained. Additional post hoc tests indicated that facial attractiveness is positively associated with natural slight asymmetry rather than with perfect symmetry. Also, unfamiliar LL symmetric versions were rated as more attractive than familiar LL versions, whereas familiar RR versions were rated as more attractive than RR unfamiliar faces. These results suggested that symmetry (perceptual factor) and familiarity (cognitive or memorial factor) play differential roles in facial attractiveness, and indicate a relatively stronger effect of the perceptual compared to the cognitive factor. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. ON179018 i br. ON179033]http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0048-5705/2016/0048-57051603301M.pdfsymmetryfamiliarityfacial attractiveness
spellingShingle Mentus Tatjana
Marković Slobodan
Effects of symmetry and familiarity on the attractiveness of human faces
Psihologija
symmetry
familiarity
facial attractiveness
title Effects of symmetry and familiarity on the attractiveness of human faces
title_full Effects of symmetry and familiarity on the attractiveness of human faces
title_fullStr Effects of symmetry and familiarity on the attractiveness of human faces
title_full_unstemmed Effects of symmetry and familiarity on the attractiveness of human faces
title_short Effects of symmetry and familiarity on the attractiveness of human faces
title_sort effects of symmetry and familiarity on the attractiveness of human faces
topic symmetry
familiarity
facial attractiveness
url http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0048-5705/2016/0048-57051603301M.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT mentustatjana effectsofsymmetryandfamiliarityontheattractivenessofhumanfaces
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