Relational insecurity heightens sensitivity to limbal rings in partnered women

Bibliographic Data

ID18995262
AuthorsMitch Brown (0000-0001-6615-6081, Fairleigh Dickinson University Teaneck New Jersey, corresponding author), Lucas A Keefer (0000-0003-0700-6221, School of Psychology in Hattiesburg The University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg Mississippi), Donald F Sacco (0000-0001-6017-5070, School of Psychology in Hattiesburg The University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg Mississippi)
Year2020
Volume27
Issue1
Pages61-75
Publication date2020-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePersonal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1350-4126 • E-ISSN: 1475-6811
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/pere.12308
OpenAlexW3008375488
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited61

Limbal rings augment perceived facial health and attractiveness. We thus expected sensitivity to their presence would depend on motives to seek alternative relationship partners among those feeling insecure about a current pairbond. Despite partnered women's relative insensitivity to good gene cues, partnered women feeling relationally dissatisfied might heighten acuity toward limbal rings. We primed single and partnered women with secure or insecure attachment before evaluating the health of male and female faces with and without limbal rings. Insecurity‐primed partnered women demonstrated greater perceptual acuity toward limbal rings than security‐primed partnered women; this sensitivity was reduced in single women. Findings contribute to literature implicating limbal rings as a health cue, demonstrating how dissatisfaction of mating goals modulates preferences for facial features

Attractiveness · Developmental psychology · Feeling · Perception · Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies · Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · Neuroscience · Psychology · Social Psychology

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