T. Joel Wade

Evolutionary Theory and Self-perception: Sex Differences in Body Esteem Predictors of Self-perceived Physical and Sexual Attractiveness and Self-Esteem

Responses to the body esteem scale (Franzoi & Shields, 1984) and multiple regression were used to determine if evolutionary biological theory is relevant to an understanding of self-perceived physical and sexual attractiveness and selfesteem and to determine if physical and sexual attractiveness are the same construct. It was hypothesized that regression models of physical and sexual attractiveness would differ within and across sex groups and that models of self-esteem would differ across sex groups in accordance with evolutionary theory. These hypotheses were supported. Attributes of the body related to fecundity and successful mothering characteristics predicted for women and attributes of the body related to strength and dominance predicted for men. In addition, attributes of the body dealing with sexual maturity were stronger predictors of sexual attractiveness. Physical and sexual attractiveness are not the same constructs. This research indicates that evolutionary bological theory can provide relev...

A longitudinal analysis of sex by race differences in predictors of adolescent self-esteem

Abstract Multiple regression techniques were used to examine stability of self-esteem and changes in the constellation of predictors of self-esteem in an adolescent sample over a 2 yr period. Self-esteem was found to be relatively stable for the four race by sex subgroups examined. However, the constellations of predictors of self-esteem for the four groups were less stable. Some factors expected to contribute to self-esteem, particularly sexual and physical development variables, thought to be important during adolescence, were not strong predictors at either point in time. Sexual development predicted only for black males at Time 2 and physical development predicted only for white males at Time 2. Perceived physical attractiveness was a strong predictor of self-esteem at both points in time for white subgroups, but not for black subgroups. For black subgroups, social and peer related variables were the strongest predictors of self-esteem. While black subgroups and white subgroups seemed to differ, black males also differed somewhat from black females, primarily in the importance of sexual variables, intercourse, and sexual development, as predictors of self-esteem at Time 2 for black males.

The Differential Effect of Skin Color on Attractiveness, Personality Evaluations, and Perceived Life Success of African Americans

Skin color in relation to perceived attractiveness, personality ratings, and perceived life success of African Americans was investigated in a 2 (sex of participant) 2 (skin color of stimulus person) 2 (sex of stimulus person) design. Based on prior research, Skin Color Sex of Stimulus Person and Sex of Participant Skin Color interactions were hypothesized. Lighter skinned African American women and dark-skinned African American men were expected to receive higher attractiveness, personality, and life success ratings from White participants. In addition, women were expected to rate dark-skinned individuals higher. The results obtained supported the hypotheses for perceived life success only. African American women with fair skin were rated higher than fair-skinned African American men on intelligence and parenting skills. In addition, women rated dark-skinned individuals higher than men did on intelligence. Women also rated the dark-skinned individuals higher than fair-skinned individuals on enthusiasm. Findings are discussed in terms of marketplace theory.!

Weight halo effects: Individual differences in perceived life success as a function of women's race and weight

The question of whether or not life success halo effects occur for weight for Black and White women was examined in an experiment using a 2 (race of woman) × 2 (weight of woman) × 2 (sex of participant) design and measures of perceived life success, attractiveness, and personality. The thinner White woman was expected to receive higher life success, attractiveness, and personality ratings than the heavy White woman. However, the heavy Black woman was expected to receive higher ratings than the thinner Black woman. The results were consistent with expectations. These results are discussed in terms of prior research on beauty, weight, and stereotyping.

Sex differences in the links between attractiveness, self-esteem and the body

Abstract Two studies were conducted to determine: if the links between the body and self-perceived attractiveness and self-esteem for men and women differ. Following evolutionary and social learning theories, affective and cognitive links were hypothesized for womens attractiveness while no links were hypothesized for mens attractiveness. Additionally, affective links were expected for womens self-esteem while no links were expected for mens self-esteem. The results obtained supported these hypotheses. Findings are discussed in terms of the societal value placed on womens attractiveness and evolutionary theory.

Race and sex differences in adolescent self-perceptions of physical attractiveness and level of self-esteem during early and late adolescence

Abstract Race and sex differences in self-perceptions of attractiveness and level of self-esteem were examined for an adolescent sample over a 2-yr period. Results showed race differences in self-perceptions of attractiveness during both early and late adolescence. Blacks rate themselves higher in attractiveness than whites rate themselves at both time periods. Race differences in self-esteem did not occur at either time period. Sex differences in self-perception of attractiveness and level of self-esteem did occur, but only during early adolescence. Males rate both their attractiveness and level of self-esteem higher than females rate themselves during early adolescence. These differences are discussed in relation to existing research and differing attractiveness standards.

The Relationships between Symmetry and Attractiveness and Mating Relevant Decisions and Behavior: A Review

Evolutionary theory based research shows that attractiveness is based on biological correlates that index appropriate estrogen and testosterone levels. Symmetry affects or plays a role in the perception of many of these correlates of attractiveness. Additionally, since attractiveness affects infidelity perception and reactions, sexual satisfaction, and personality perception, symmetry also affects these areas. This paper reviews the literature on symmetry showing how symmetry affects: the correlates of attractiveness, sexual satisfaction, personality, and infidelity perceptions and reactions.

Racial characteristics and individual differences in women's evaluations of men's facial attractiveness and personality

Abstract Prior research investigating the perception of mens faces has not considered the hybrid nature of black and white racial characteristics. Fifteen faces ranging from “pure” black or white to “hybrid” black and white were rated in the present research. Main effects for race of face were hypothesized. Predominantly black faces were expected to receive higher ratings for dominance and gender identity characteristics. Predominantly white faces were expected to receive the highest attractiveness rating and higher ratings for nurturant and expressive characteristics. The results supported the hypotheses and are discussed in terms of parental investment theory and existing research.

Race and facial attractiveness: individual differences in perceived adoptability of children

To determine whether infant facial attractiveness is related to perceived adoptability, participants were asked to rate photographs of Asian, Black, and White babies on perceived: adoptability, attractiveness, intelligence, health, proportional eye size, and facial shape. It was hypothesized that (a) Asian babies would be rated highest in adoptability, attractiveness, intelligence, health, and facial shape, (b) that attractiveness would be the strongest predictor of adoptability, (c) and that babies perceived as having the largest eyes would also be rated as most attractive, and most adoptable. The results obtained were partially consistent with the first hypothesis and entirely consistent with second and third hypotheses. These findings are discussed in terms of prior research on facial attractiveness,and adoptability.

Invisible Men: Evolutionary Theory and Attractiveness and Personality Evaluations of 10 African American Male Facial Shapes

The entire gamut of facial shapes has not been included in prior research investigating the perception of African American men’s facial attractiveness. The 10 facial shapes identified for African American men (elliptic, oval, reversed oval, round, rectangular, quadratic, rhombic, trapezium, inverted trapezium, and pentagonal) were examined in this research. Based on evolutionary theory and prior research, the reversed oval, rectangular, trapezium, and inverted trapezium faces were hypothesized to be rated as most attractive, most dominant, most mature, most masculine, strongest, and most socially competent. Smaller, round, or oval faces were hypothesized to be perceived as warmest. The results obtained were consistent with these hypotheses. These findings are discussed in terms of evolutionary psychological adaptations and prior research.