[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] A study has found that people wearing masks are perceived as more attractive.
On the 13th (local time), the daily newspaper The Guardian reported that researchers at Cardiff University in the UK reached this conclusion after conducting two surveys on the likability of mask wearers. In a study conducted in February last year, 43 women were asked to rate the attractiveness of men's faces on a scale from 1 to 10.
The results showed that wearing a mask received higher scores compared to not wearing a mask or covering the face with a book to the same extent as a mask. Furthermore, even when wearing the same mask, disposable medical masks were rated more favorably than cloth masks.
Although not yet published, the research team revealed that a similar result was found in a study investigating the likability of women wearing masks among men. Regardless of gender, the reason why people perceive the opposite sex wearing masks as more attractive is attributed to cognitive behavior of the brain and psychological changes in people.
Dr. Michael Lewis, who led the study, pointed out that the brain's tendency to exaggerate might be the reason. When wearing a mask, people's attention is drawn to the eyes, and the brain fills in the unseen parts of the face, leading to an overall overestimation.
Dr. Lewis also noted that social perceptions of masks have changed due to the spread of COVID-19. He said, "This study's results contrast with the pre-pandemic situation where masks evoked thoughts of disease or avoidance figures," adding, "The psychology of recognizing mask wearers has changed because of the pandemic."
He continued, "This relates to evolutionary psychology," explaining, "While signs of disease were once a major reason for rejecting a potential partner, our psychology has now changed." Regarding the higher likability of medical mask wearers, Dr. Lewis analyzed, "People are more familiar with healthcare workers wearing blue masks."
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