Regardless of Gender or Race, "Feminine Faces" Preferred
Small and Narrow Jaw, Soft Curves of the Cheeks and Jaw, etc.
A recent study has drawn attention by revealing that faces with feminine features are rated as significantly more attractive than those with masculine features.
According to research published recently in the American Journal of Experimental Psychology, both men and women, as well as groups with different sexual orientations?including heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual individuals?all showed a tendency to prefer feminine appearances.
The study was conducted by a joint research team from the University of Stirling in the United Kingdom and Nagoya University in Japan. The researchers carried out experiments with a total of 1,502 participants living in the UK and Japan, including individuals with diverse sexual orientations. This was done to examine all possible influences on facial preference, taking into account cultural and sexual diversity.
The research team used computer graphics technology to manipulate photographs of the same individuals, creating versions that emphasized either feminine or masculine features. Participants were then asked to choose which face they found more attractive.
In the study, feminine facial features were defined as a small and narrow jaw, high eyebrow arches, a prominent forehead, and smooth curves of the cheeks and jaw. In contrast, masculine facial features included a wide and angular jaw, thick eyebrows and brow bones, a large and pointed nose, and a broad forehead.
A face with prominent masculine features (left) and a face with prominent feminine features. Journal of Experimental Psychology
The results of the experiment were clear. Regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or race, all participants showed a preference for feminine appearances. However, the strength of this preference varied among groups. For example, among British women, the tendency to rate men with feminine faces as more attractive was more pronounced in younger participants.
The research team explained these findings through the 'halo effect.' This is a psychological phenomenon in which a person's prominent characteristic shapes the overall impression of that person. In the case of feminine faces, positive traits such as friendliness or trustworthiness are often associated, which likely influenced attractiveness ratings. Dr. Sora Bjornsdottir, who led the study, stated, "Appearance goes beyond mere looks and leads to inferences about a person's personality, lifestyle, and various other factors." She explained, "Feminine faces are evaluated as more attractive because they are associated with positive traits among people."
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