HOW DOES LABELLING FACE IMAGES INFLUENCE SEXUAL ATTRACTION?

Abstract

The present study consists of two separate experimental studies focusing on how labelling face images influence sexual attraction. In Study 1, 30 gender-neutral face photographs were shown to the participants. A total of 407 participants, 278 (%68) women and 129 (%32) men, participated in the first study. In Study 2, 75% feminine face photos were shown to male participants and 75% masculine face photos were shown to female participants. The number of photos shown to each participant was 30. A total of 282 participants, 151(%54) women and 131 men (%46) participated in the second study. In both studies, some of the participants were told that the photographs belonged to men, while others were told that they belonged to women and questions about photographs in the first study were repeated. Kruskal-Wallis H test conducted to investigate whether the responses changed according to the gender tag of the photos. The results show that the perception of attraction does not only change according to physical features, but also according to the gender label of the body to which physical features belong. The findings are discussed by referring to evolutionary, social constructionist approaches and the concept of sexual fluidity. Keywords: Sexuality, Facial Attractiveness, Sexual Attractiveness, Sexual Fluidity