Abstract

SILVA, Luciana Maria da  and  FUKUSIMA, Sérgio Sheiji. Symmetrical faces by hemiface reflections are not more attractive than the natural ones. Psicol. Reflex. Crit. [online]. 2010, vol.23, n.3, pp. 466-475. ISSN 0102-7972.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-79722010000300007.

In order to investigate whether symmetry is related to facial attractiveness, a computer graphic software generated symmetrical faces by reflecting the right and the left hemiface of twenty frontal faces (10F, 10M) of young adults from black-and-white pictures. Applying an analogical visual scale, sixty two volunteers judged the attractiveness of the symmetrical and natural faces in two experiments. In one experiment the faces were presented with external elements and in the other without them. In both experiments, the natural faces were generally judged more attractive than the symmetrical ones. In conclusion, symmetry from reflections of the hemifaces is not a preponderant factor for facial attractiveness.

Keywords : Facial attractiveness; Facial symmetry; Face perception.