Women prefer masculine faces only when they appear safe. Findings indicate that while masculine facial features are often preferred, this preference vanishes if the face also communicates aggression.
Women prefer masculine faces only when they appear safe. Findings indicate that while masculine facial features are often preferred, this preference vanishes if the face also communicates aggression.
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>Recent research suggests that women weigh potential threats more heavily than physical appeal when evaluating the faces of potential partners. The findings indicate that while masculine facial features are often preferred, this preference vanishes if the face also communicates aggression. These results were published in the [journal](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2025.113514) Personality and Individual Differences.
>Evolutionary psychologists have long studied how humans select mates. One prevailing theory involves sexual dimorphism, which refers to the physical differences between males and females. In men, high levels of testosterone during puberty often result in specific facial traits. These include a broader jaw, a prominent brow ridge, and thinner cheeks.
>These masculine traits can signal good health and strong genetic potential. However, they can also signal dominance or a lack of warmth. Consequently, women often face a dilemma when choosing a partner. They must balance the desire for good genes against the need for a supportive and safe companion.
>This decision-making process is known as a trade-off strategy. Researchers have previously looked at how external factors influence this choice. For example, women might prefer different traits depending on whether they feel secure in their environment. But less attention has been paid to the specific cues within the face itself.
So why then are women also obsessed with boyish looking sparkly vampires and pretty boys in boy bands? Is it because they appear “safer” and less aggressive than traditional masculine faces?
It seems a foregone conclusion that women (or anyone) would not prefer aggressive faces. Am I missing something here?
A smiling face does not mean safe.
I think we all know that the face only communicates aggression if you have a weird expression or if you are ugly…
I keep seeing these studies that just confirm what we’ve already knew. “Women prefer masculine looking men, but not when they look scary.” and “Turns out the extreme minority of men are the toxic ones” are my latest two examples.
So you’re telling me my aversion to the dating profile picture of a man grimacing while standing next to the side of the road in plainclothes and brandishing a pistol was founded in science?!? Men are told to smile in dating profiles, here’s the reason why.
Despite what scumbags like Mr. Tate wants you to beleive, no one likes assholes.
Brainiacs hard at work discover that a threatening face appears threatening.
That’s science yo!
Yet another useless study into masculinity that no one asked for nor needed. The conclusion of this study is universal across all species, demonstrated aggression leads to loss of attraction.
Literally zero value to the scientific community.
Shocking that aggression makes positive qualities disagree
Has anyone told them they should smile more?
I think i remember reading at one point that men who smile are immediately more attractive to women but that the inverse was likely to be true. So, basically yall men should smile more.