Exploring distinctiveness, attractiveness and sexual dimorphism in actualized face-spaces

Abstract

ABSTRACT The multi-dimensional face-space metaphor has been a powerful explanatory force in face processing. Here, its predictive powers are considered for ratings of attractiveness, distinctiveness and sexual dimorphism using two different actualizations of face-space. One face-space was based on similarity ratings between pairs of faces and the other on facial feature eccentricity, both based on the same set of 200 faces. The two models both gave similar insights into the range of properties tested. Distinctive faces were located further from the center of these multi-dimensional face-spaces than typical faces. Attractiveness of males was linked to averageness within these models whereas for females, averageness had little effect on their attractiveness. Femininity was a better predictor of female face attractiveness, but masculinity showed a curvilinear relationship with the attractiveness of male faces. Together, these findings demonstrate the usefulness of the face-space metaphor in exploring ideas of the distinctiveness, attractiveness and the sexual dimorphism of faces.