Lab 7 – Investigating Sexual selection

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Lab 7-Investigating Sexual Selection
INTRODUCTION
Many human cultures have a way of determining the attractiveness of an individual. However, the actual traits used by observers to make judgments are not clear. Sexual selection is exhibited by most males and few females displaying costly behaviors. The parental investment theory states that the gender with a lower intrinsic value in reproduction is forced to compete for the attention of the other gender with the higher investment. The concept of good genes suggests that costly ornaments or behaviors are an indicator that the bearer has high-quality genes. This applies to animals like birds and humans. Facial parts which usually increase at puberty are used as facial cues to make judgments on attractiveness.
The facial symmetry hypothesis is correlated with genetic heterozygosity among animals including humans. This form of heterozygosity is linked to parasite resistance which makes it an indicator of good genes. It is proven that facial symmetry is related to scores of facial attractiveness. It is also used as a clue for an individual’s characteristics regarding their personality (Thornhill and Gangestad, 241). Another hypothesis is based on the averageness theory where different photos of different people are compiled. The research concept presented by the author indicates that the attractiveness scored increased with the number of people-faces averaged together. The author (258) suggests that facial averageness is attractive because of its identification with heterozygosity.

Facial symmetry hypothesis and averageness hypothesis are mutually inclusive. My personal hypothesis is based on facial uniformity and complexion. I regard people with spotless faces and uniform complexion as attractive. This experimental study aims at testing these hypotheses in order to determine if there is a good way of measuring attractiveness.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Investigations were done using human faces which were rated for attractiveness. Individual faces were also blended together in order to obtain average faces. The first 20 faces of each sex were assigned an attractiveness score on a scale from 1 to 10. Among the 20 faces, three women faces were given the lowest score and their average obtained. Three women were chosen for an average score or close to 5. Three women with the highest score were also identified, scored for attractiveness and averaged. All 20 female faces were averaged to obtain a resulting face. The procedure was repeated using male faces.
RESULTS
Table 1. Female Attractiveness Score
Lowest Score Average Score Highest Score Resulting Face
Face 1 5 Face 2 6 Face 3 3 Face 4 9.5 Face 5 8 Face 6 5 Face 7 7 Face 8 3 Face 9 4 Average 3.33 5.33 8.17 5.61
In the 20-face sample, two women recorded the lowest score since their faces lacked symmetry both along the x and y-axis. The average score for women was mostly triggered by slim faces which signaled healthy women. The high score went to faces which combined more than one desirable characteristics including homogenous skin color. There was an exceptional case where face 4 exhibited multiple quality facial features.
Table 2. Male Attractiveness Score
Lowest Score Average Score Highest Score Resulting Face
Face 1 6 Face 2 8 Face 3 2 Face 4 7 Face 5 3 Face 6 9 Face 7 2 Face 8 5 Face 9 5 Average 2.33 5.33 8 5.22
Men scored lower values compared to women. However, face 2 and face 4 hard nearly-to-perfect symmetry. The average scores were triggered were also triggered by youthful and energetic faces. Men exhibited a lower attractiveness and averageness in terms of symmetry compared to women.
DISCUSSION
The observation of bold and energetic faces confirms the hypothesis of personality clues. High scores among men faces were also based on symmetry. This applies to faces of men where the attractive faces are considered genetically superior. Women are gauged more on symmetry and shape of facial features. The section was also done based on skin uniformity especially for face 2 which was immaculate. This confirms the hypothesis of symmetry and complexion. The increasing number of faces increased the average value which confirms the averageness hypothesis.
Works Cited
Thornhill, Randy, and Steven W. Gangestad. “Human facial beauty.” Human nature 4.3 (1993): 237-269.