Visual adaptation to masculine and feminine faces influences generalized preferences and perceptions of trustworthiness

Gavin Buckingham, Lisa M. DeBruine, Anthony C. Little, Lisa L M Welling, Claire A. Conway, Bernard P. Tiddeman, Benedict C. Jones

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

92 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Although previous studies of individual differences in preferences for masculinity in male faces have typically emphasized the importance of factors such as changes in levels of sex hormones during the menstrual cycle, other research has demonstrated that recent visual experience with faces also influences preferences for sexual dimorphism in faces. Adaptation to either masculine or feminine faces increases preferences for novel faces that are similar to those that were recently seen. Here, we replicate this effect and demonstrate that adaptation to masculine or feminine faces also influences the extent to which masculine faces are perceived as trustworthy. These adaptation effects may reflect a proximate mechanism that contributes to the development of face preferences within individuals, underpins phenomena such as imprinting-like effects and condition-dependent face preferences, and shapes personality attributions to faces that play an important role in romantic partner and associate choices. Furthermore, our findings also support the proposal that visual exposure alone cannot explain the context specificity of attitudes to self-resemblance in faces.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)381-389
Number of pages9
JournalEvolution and Human Behavior
Volume27
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2006

Keywords

  • Face aftereffects
  • Sexual dimorphism
  • Trust
  • Visual adaptation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Development

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Visual adaptation to masculine and feminine faces influences generalized preferences and perceptions of trustworthiness'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this