Lecture Notes on Attractiveness and Beauty

Introduction

• Speaker: Jaclyn Howard
• Topic: Universality of beauty and attractiveness
• Interviewees:
  • Dr. Kong Le (University of Toronto)
  • Dr. Pam Pallet (Ohio State University)
• Importance of understanding what makes a person attractive for reproduction and social interactions.

Key Findings from Research

Myths and Facts about Attractiveness

• Golden Ratio:
  • Ancient Greeks believed beauty is defined by a ratio of 1 to 1.618.
  • Research indicates that attractiveness is related to individual facial ratios rather than a universal standard.

Facial Ratios

• Optimal Facial Ratios:
  • Distance between eyes and mouth should be about 36% of the total face length.
  • Distance between eyes should be about 46% of face width.
• Impact of Haircuts:
  • Haircuts can alter facial ratios, potentially enhancing attractiveness (e.g., bangs can shorten the face).

Average Faces Are More Attractive

• Physiological Norms:
  • Extremely attractive individuals may be physiological outliers.
  • The brain averages facial features from the environment to form perceptions of attractiveness.
• Evolutionary Benefit:
  • Forming an average helps in processing visual information more efficiently.

Sexual Dimorphic Cues

• Definition:
  • Traits that enhance attractiveness to the opposite sex.
• Feminine Traits for Women:
  • Bigger eyes, fuller lips.
  • Makeup enhances these traits by creating high contrast, making eyes and lips more prominent.

Studies Highlighting Makeup's Effect

• Waitresses wearing red lipstick received bigger tips from men.
• Contrast in facial features helps to assess youthfulness in individuals.

Sexual Selection Across Species

• Not Just Humans:
  • Other species also engage in behaviors to enhance attractiveness for mating.
• Flamingos:
  • Apply natural oils to their feathers to enhance pink coloration during mating season.

Conclusion

• Reflection on the nature of beauty: Is it purely biological?
• Discussion on how attractiveness influences modern relationships.