Modern Wisdom #751 - Macken Murphy - What Does Science Say Makes Someone Attractive?
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Feb 29, 2024 
Macken Murphy, an evolutionary biologist at Oxford University, dives deep into what makes someone attractive. He explains the surprising appeal of facial symmetry and the allure of average features. The interplay of cultural influences on beauty standards is explored, along with the significance of traits like height, eye color, and even tattoos in attraction. Murphy also challenges common dating myths and discusses how preferences can differ drastically between what we say we want and what we actually choose. It's a fascinating look into human behavior!
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Attractive Faces
- Averageness and symmetry are key factors in facial attractiveness, signaling robust development.
- Mathematically average faces, composites of many faces, are perceived as attractive, possibly due to processing ease or sexual selection.
Symmetry and Attractiveness
- Symmetry in faces is attractive, potentially signaling robust development and absence of genetic disorders.
- While some attractive individuals may be asymmetrical, symmetry generally increases attractiveness.
Facial Masculinity and Femininity
- Facial femininity is highly attractive to men in women, while facial masculinity's attractiveness to women is less clear.
- The masculinity trade-off hypothesis suggests women might prefer less masculine faces for long-term relationships due to potential negative traits associated with high masculinity.