Do women's preferences for symmetry change across the menstrual cycle?

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Abstract

In many species, symmetry enhances physical attractiveness of the face and body. In humans, facial attractiveness is also enhanced by symmetrical decoration in the form of facial paint [Cárdenas, R. A., & Harris, L. J. (2006)]. According to the good-genes hypothesis [e.g., Thornhill, R., & Gangestad, S. W. (1999)], symmetry is preferred because it is associated with mate quality. According to the receiver bias hypothesis [e.g., Enquist, M., & Johnstone, R. (1997)], it is a by-product of how the visual system is designed. Proponents of the good-genes hypothesis have suggested that a preference for symmetry may vary with fertility, namely, that it will be enhanced in women in the high-fertility phase of the menstrual cycle. Previous research does demonstrate that, during this phase, women prefer the scent of more symmetrical men [e.g., Gangestad, S. W., & Thornhill, R. (1998)]. However, research employing assessment of faces fails to find a similar effect [Koehler, N., Rhodes, G., & Simmons, L. W. (2002)]. Previous research asked subjects to judge faces one at a time during high fertility (around ovulation) and low fertility (menstruation). We used a different face-presentation method, tested women during the other low-fertility (midluteal) phase, and used decorated as well as undecorated faces. As in our prior study [Cárdenas, R. A., & Harris, L. J. (2006)], symmetry of facial features and symmetry of decoration enhanced attractiveness, but, contrary to the possible prediction of the good-genes hypothesis, the effects did not vary across the cycle. The results as they are, therefore, can be equally accommodated by both hypotheses. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Cárdenas, R. A., & Harris, L. J. (2007). Do women’s preferences for symmetry change across the menstrual cycle? Evolution and Human Behavior, 28(2), 96–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2006.08.003

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