Individual differences in preferences for sexual dimorphism in faces among Chinese adolescents in single-sex and mixed-sex environments

Abstract

Research indicates that people often show a preference for familiar faces, and frequent exposure to a particular type of face can lead to the development of a preference for faces with similar features. Adolescents in single-sex environments are more likely to be exposed to same-sex faces and less likely to view faces of the opposite sex. This study aimed to examine whether the effects of gendered environments on facial feature preferences exist in a Chinese cultural context. We examined individual differences in preferences for sexual dimorphism in faces among Chinese adolescents in single-sex and mixed-sex environments (N = 1431 mean age = 18.1). We found that male students in single-sex environments preferred more masculinized female faces than their peers in mixed-sex environments. Furthermore, female students in single-sex environments preferred more feminized male faces than their peers in mixed-sex environments. There were no significant differences in preferences for same-sex faces between participants in single-sex and mixed-sex environments for both male and female students. These results provide cross-cultural evidence that frequent exposure to certain types of faces can influence people's preferences regarding sexual dimorphism in facial features. The findings indicated the effect of gendered environments on mating preferences in older adolescents.