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Asexual individuals report high preferences for femininity in male and female faces

Bibliographic Data

ID12978378
AuthorsJared Edge (0000-0002-0661-6709, Oakland University, corresponding author), Jennifer Vonk (0000-0002-4362-5989, Oakland University), Lisa L M Welling (0000-0003-3555-5965, Oakland University), Lisa Welling
Year2023
Volume15
Issue3
Pages398-414
Publication date2023-12-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychology and Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1941-9902 • E-ISSN: 1941-9899
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/19419899.2023.2293760
OpenAlexW4389870078
LanguageEN
References cited70

Preferences for sexual dimorphism in male and female faces can vary based on the viewers' gender, sexual orientation, and intensity of sexual desire. Asexual individuals, who experience little to no sexual attraction, may display different preferences for sexual dimorphism than has been observed in allosexual samples. Researchers have hypothesised that gender conformity may likewise impact preferences for sexual dimorphism. Participants (N = 182) recruited from an online asexual community provided demographic information and responded to measures of romantic attraction, sexual attraction, and conformity with male and female gender norms before they indicated their preference for male and female faces that were digitally altered to be more or less sexually dimorphic. Regardless of gender, asexual participants displayed a high preference for femininity in male and female faces. Preferences for sexual dimorphism displayed complex, and inconsistent associations with reported romantic and sexual attraction, and with conformity to feminine gender norms. This is the first report of preferences for facial sexual dimorphism and assessment of the role of gender conformity in an asexual population. This research adds to our understanding of the role of sexual attraction in predicting preferences for sexual dimorphism in faces

Developmental psychology · Femininity · Psychoanalysis · Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · Fashion and Cultural Textiles · Psychology · Social Psychology

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