Predictors of enhancing human physical attractiveness: Data from 93 countries

Marta Kowal; Piotr Sorokowski; Katarzyna Pisanski; Jaroslava V. Valentova; Marco A.C. Varella; David A. Frederick; Laith Al-Shawaf; Felipe E. García; Isabella Giammusso; Biljana Gjoneska; Luca Kozma; Tobias Otterbring; Marietta Papadatou-Pastou; Gerit Pfuhl; Sabrina Stöckli; Anna Studzinska; Ezgi Toplu-Demirtaş; Anna K. Touloumakos; Bence E. Bakos; Carlota Batres; Solenne Bonneterre; Johanna Czamanski-Cohen; Jovi C. Dacanay; Eliane Deschrijver; Maryanne L. Fisher; Caterina Grano; Dmitry Grigoryev; Pavol Kačmár; Mikhail V. Kozlov; Efisio Manunta; Karlijn Massar; Joseph P. Mcfall; Moises Mebarak; Maria Rosa Miccoli; Taciano L. Milfont; Pavol Prokop; Toivo Aavik; Patrícia Arriaga; Roberto Baiocco; Jiří Čeněk; Hakan Çetinkaya; Izzet Duyar; Farida Guemaz; Tatsunori Ishii; Julia A. Kamburidis; Hareesol Khun-Inkeeree; Linda H. Lidborg; Hagar Manor; Ravit Nussinson; Mohd Sofian B. Omar-Fauzee; Farid Pazhoohi; Koen Ponnet; Anabela Caetano Santos; Oksana Senyk; Ognen Spasovski; Mona Vintila; Austin H. Wang; Gyesook Yoo; Oulmann Zerhouni; Rizwana Amin; Sibele Aquino; Merve Boğa; Mahmoud Boussena; Ali R. Can; Seda Can; Rita Castro; Antonio Chirumbolo; Ogeday Çoker; Clément Cornec; Seda Dural; Stephanie J. Eder; Nasim Ghahraman Moharrampour; Simone Grassini; Evgeniya Hristova; Gözde Ikizer; Nicolas Kervyn; Mehmet Koyuncu; Yoshihiko Kunisato; Samuel Lins; Tetyana Mandzyk; Silvia Mari; Alan D.A. Mattiassi; Aybegum Memisoglu-Sanli; Mara Morelli; Felipe C. Novaes; Miriam Parise; Irena Pavela Banai; Mariia Perun; Nejc Plohl; Fatima Zahra Sahli; Dušana Šakan; Sanja Smojver-Azic; Çağlar Solak; Sinem Söylemez; Asako Toyama; Anna Wlodarczyk; Yuki Yamada; Beatriz Abad-Villaverde; Reza Afhami; Grace Akello; Nael H. Alami; Leyla Alma; Marios Argyrides; Derya Atamtürk; Nana Burduli; Sayra Cardona; João Carneiro; Andrea Castañeda; Izabela Chałatkiewicz; William J. Chopik; Dimitri Chubinidze; Daniel Conroy-Beam; Jorge Contreras-Garduño; Diana Ribeiro Da Silva; Yahya B. Don; Silvia Donato; Dmitrii Dubrov; Michaela Duračková; Sanjana Dutt; Samuel O. Ebimgbo; Ignacio Estevan; Edgardo Etchezahar; Peter Fedor; Feten Fekih-Romdhane; Tomasz Frackowiak; Katarzyna Galasinska; Łukasz Gargula; Benjamin Gelbart; Talia Gomez Yepes; Brahim Hamdaoui; Ivana Hromatko; Salome N. Itibi; Luna Jaforte; Steve M.J. Janssen; Marija Jovic; Kevin S. Kertechian; Farah Khan; Aleksander Kobylarek; Maida Koso-Drljevic; Anna Krasnodębska; Valerija Križanić; Miguel Landa-Blanco; Alvaro Mailhos; Tiago Marot; Tamara Martinac Dorcic; Martha Martinez-Banfi; Mat Rahimi Yusof; Marlon Mayorga-Lascano; Vita Mikuličiūtė; Katarina Mišetić; Bojan Musil; Arooj Najmussaqib; Kavitha Nalla Muthu; Jean C. Natividade; Izuchukwu L.G. Ndukaihe; Ellen K. Nyhus; Elisabeth Oberzaucher; Salma S. Omar; Franciszek Ostaszewski; Ma. Criselda T. Pacquing; Ariela F. Pagani; Ju Hee Park; Ekaterine Pirtskhalava; Ulf-Dietrich Reips; Marc Eric S. Reyes; Jan P. Röer; Ayşegül Şahin; Adil Samekin; Rūta Sargautytė; Tatiana Semenovskikh; Henrik Siepelmeyer; Sangeeta Singh; Alicja Sołtys; Agnieszka Sorokowska; Rodrigo Soto-López; Liliya Sultanova; William Tamayo-Agudelo; Chee-Seng Tan; Gulmira T. Topanova; Merve Topcu Bulut; Bastien Trémolière; Singha Tulyakul; Belgüzar N. Türkan; Arkadiusz Urbanek; Tatiana Volkodav; Kathryn V. Walter; Mohd Faiz Mohd Yaakob; Marcos Zumárraga-Espinosa

doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2022.08.003

Predictors of enhancing human physical attractiveness: Data from 93 countries

Marta Kowal, Piotr Sorokowski, Katarzyna Pisanski, Jaroslava V. Valentova, Marco A.C. Varella, David A. Frederick, Laith Al-Shawaf, Felipe E. García, Isabella Giammusso, Biljana Gjoneska, Luca Kozma, Tobias Otterbring, Marietta Papadatou-Pastou, Gerit Pfuhl, Sabrina Stöckli, Anna Studzinska, Ezgi Toplu-Demirtaş, Anna K. Touloumakos, Bence E. Bakos, Carlota BatresSolenne Bonneterre, Johanna Czamanski-Cohen, Jovi C. Dacanay, Eliane Deschrijver, Maryanne L. Fisher, Caterina Grano, Dmitry Grigoryev, Pavol Kačmár, Mikhail V. Kozlov, Efisio Manunta, Karlijn Massar, Joseph P. Mcfall, Moises Mebarak, Maria Rosa Miccoli, Taciano L. Milfont, Pavol Prokop, Toivo Aavik, Patrícia Arriaga, Roberto Baiocco, Jiří Čeněk, Hakan Çetinkaya, Izzet Duyar, Farida Guemaz, Tatsunori Ishii, Julia A. Kamburidis, Hareesol Khun-Inkeeree, Linda H. Lidborg, Hagar Manor, Ravit Nussinson, Mohd Sofian B. Omar-Fauzee, Farid Pazhoohi, Koen Ponnet, Anabela Caetano Santos, Oksana Senyk, Ognen Spasovski, Mona Vintila, Austin H. Wang, Gyesook Yoo, Oulmann Zerhouni, Rizwana Amin, Sibele Aquino, Merve Boğa, Mahmoud Boussena, Ali R. Can, Seda Can, Rita Castro, Antonio Chirumbolo, Ogeday Çoker, Clément Cornec, Seda Dural, Stephanie J. Eder, Nasim Ghahraman Moharrampour, Simone Grassini, Evgeniya Hristova, Gözde Ikizer, Nicolas Kervyn, Mehmet Koyuncu, Yoshihiko Kunisato, Samuel Lins, Tetyana Mandzyk, Silvia Mari, Alan D.A. Mattiassi, Aybegum Memisoglu-Sanli, Mara Morelli, Felipe C. Novaes, Miriam Parise, Irena Pavela Banai, Mariia Perun, Nejc Plohl, Fatima Zahra Sahli, Dušana Šakan, Sanja Smojver-Azic, Çağlar Solak, Sinem Söylemez, Asako Toyama, Anna Wlodarczyk, Yuki Yamada, Beatriz Abad-Villaverde, Reza Afhami, Grace Akello, Nael H. Alami, Leyla Alma, Marios Argyrides, Derya Atamtürk, Nana Burduli, Sayra Cardona, João Carneiro, Andrea Castañeda, Izabela Chałatkiewicz, William J. Chopik, Dimitri Chubinidze, Daniel Conroy-Beam, Jorge Contreras-Garduño, Diana Ribeiro Da Silva, Yahya B. Don, Silvia Donato, Dmitrii Dubrov, Michaela Duračková, Sanjana Dutt, Samuel O. Ebimgbo, Ignacio Estevan, Edgardo Etchezahar, Peter Fedor, Feten Fekih-Romdhane, Tomasz Frackowiak, Katarzyna Galasinska, Łukasz Gargula, Benjamin Gelbart, Talia Gomez Yepes, Brahim Hamdaoui, Ivana Hromatko, Salome N. Itibi, Luna Jaforte, Steve M.J. Janssen, Marija Jovic, Kevin S. Kertechian, Farah Khan, Aleksander Kobylarek, Maida Koso-Drljevic, Anna Krasnodębska, Valerija Križanić, Miguel Landa-Blanco, Alvaro Mailhos, Tiago Marot, Tamara Martinac Dorcic, Martha Martinez-Banfi, Mat Rahimi Yusof, Marlon Mayorga-Lascano, Vita Mikuličiūtė, Katarina Mišetić, Bojan Musil, Arooj Najmussaqib, Kavitha Nalla Muthu, Jean C. Natividade, Izuchukwu L.G. Ndukaihe, Ellen K. Nyhus, Elisabeth Oberzaucher, Salma S. Omar, Franciszek Ostaszewski, Ma. Criselda T. Pacquing, Ariela F. Pagani, Ju Hee Park, Ekaterine Pirtskhalava, Ulf-Dietrich Reips, Marc Eric S. Reyes, Jan P. Röer, Ayşegül Şahin, Adil Samekin, Rūta Sargautytė, Tatiana Semenovskikh, Henrik Siepelmeyer, Sangeeta Singh, Alicja Sołtys, Agnieszka Sorokowska, Rodrigo Soto-López, Liliya Sultanova, William Tamayo-Agudelo, Chee-Seng Tan, Gulmira T. Topanova, Merve Topcu Bulut, Bastien Trémolière, Singha Tulyakul, Belgüzar N. Türkan, Arkadiusz Urbanek, Tatiana Volkodav, Kathryn V. Walter, Mohd Faiz Mohd Yaakob, Marcos Zumárraga-Espinosa

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Abstract

People across the world and throughout history have gone to great lengths to enhance their physical appearance. Evolutionary psychologists and ethologists have largely attempted to explain this phenomenon via mating preferences and strategies. Here, we test one of the most popular evolutionary hypotheses for beauty-enhancing behaviors, drawn from mating market and parasite stress perspectives, in a large cross-cultural sample. We also test hypotheses drawn from other influential and non-mutually exclusive theoretical frameworks, from biosocial role theory to a cultural media perspective. Survey data from 93,158 human participants across 93 countries provide evidence that behaviors such as applying makeup or using other cosmetics, hair grooming, clothing style, caring for body hygiene, and exercising or following a specific diet for the specific purpose of improving ones physical attractiveness, are universal. Indeed, 99% of participants reported spending >10 min a day performing beauty-enhancing behaviors. The results largely support evolutionary hypotheses: more time was spent enhancing beauty by women (almost 4 h a day, on average) than by men (3.6 h a day), by the youngest participants (and contrary to predictions, also the oldest), by those with a relatively more severe history of infectious diseases, and by participants currently dating compared to those in established relationships. The strongest predictor of attractiveness-enhancing behaviors was social media usage. Other predictors, in order of effect size, included adhering to traditional gender roles, residing in countries with less gender equality, considering oneself as highly attractive or, conversely, highly unattractive, TV watching time, higher socioeconomic status, right-wing political beliefs, a lower level of education, and personal individualistic attitudes. This study provides novel insight into universal beauty-enhancing behaviors by unifying evolutionary theory with several other complementary perspectives.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	455-474
Number of pages	20
Journal	Evolution and Human Behavior
Volume	43
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2022.08.003
Publication status	Published - 2022

Keywords

Appearance
Evolutionary theory
Mating market perspective
Pathogen stress
Self-modification
Social media usage

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2022.08.003

Cite this

Kowal, M., Sorokowski, P., Pisanski, K., Valentova, J. V., Varella, M. A. C., Frederick, D. A., Al-Shawaf, L., García, F. E., Giammusso, I., Gjoneska, B., Kozma, L., Otterbring, T., Papadatou-Pastou, M., Pfuhl, G., Stöckli, S., Studzinska, A., Toplu-Demirtaş, E., Touloumakos, A. K., Bakos, B. E., ... Zumárraga-Espinosa, M. (2022). Predictors of enhancing human physical attractiveness: Data from 93 countries. Evolution and Human Behavior, 43, 455-474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2022.08.003

@article{d35269c3154e46a3a2dae067935faa02,

title = "Predictors of enhancing human physical attractiveness: Data from 93 countries",

abstract = "People across the world and throughout history have gone to great lengths to enhance their physical appearance. Evolutionary psychologists and ethologists have largely attempted to explain this phenomenon via mating preferences and strategies. Here, we test one of the most popular evolutionary hypotheses for beauty-enhancing behaviors, drawn from mating market and parasite stress perspectives, in a large cross-cultural sample. We also test hypotheses drawn from other influential and non-mutually exclusive theoretical frameworks, from biosocial role theory to a cultural media perspective. Survey data from 93,158 human participants across 93 countries provide evidence that behaviors such as applying makeup or using other cosmetics, hair grooming, clothing style, caring for body hygiene, and exercising or following a specific diet for the specific purpose of improving ones physical attractiveness, are universal. Indeed, 99% of participants reported spending >10 min a day performing beauty-enhancing behaviors. The results largely support evolutionary hypotheses: more time was spent enhancing beauty by women (almost 4 h a day, on average) than by men (3.6 h a day), by the youngest participants (and contrary to predictions, also the oldest), by those with a relatively more severe history of infectious diseases, and by participants currently dating compared to those in established relationships. The strongest predictor of attractiveness-enhancing behaviors was social media usage. Other predictors, in order of effect size, included adhering to traditional gender roles, residing in countries with less gender equality, considering oneself as highly attractive or, conversely, highly unattractive, TV watching time, higher socioeconomic status, right-wing political beliefs, a lower level of education, and personal individualistic attitudes. This study provides novel insight into universal beauty-enhancing behaviors by unifying evolutionary theory with several other complementary perspectives.",

keywords = "Appearance, Evolutionary theory, Mating market perspective, Pathogen stress, Self-modification, Social media usage, Appearance, Evolutionary theory, Mating market perspective, Pathogen stress, Self-modification, Social media usage",

author = "Marta Kowal and Piotr Sorokowski and Katarzyna Pisanski and Valentova, {Jaroslava V.} and Varella, {Marco A.C.} and Frederick, {David A.} and Laith Al-Shawaf and Garc{\'i}a, {Felipe E.} and Isabella Giammusso and Biljana Gjoneska and Luca Kozma and Tobias Otterbring and Marietta Papadatou-Pastou and Gerit Pfuhl and Sabrina St{\"o}ckli and Anna Studzinska and Ezgi Toplu-Demirta{\c s} and Touloumakos, {Anna K.} and Bakos, {Bence E.} and Carlota Batres and Solenne Bonneterre and Johanna Czamanski-Cohen and Dacanay, {Jovi C.} and Eliane Deschrijver and Fisher, {Maryanne L.} and Caterina Grano and Dmitry Grigoryev and Pavol Ka{\v c}m{\'a}r and Kozlov, {Mikhail V.} and Efisio Manunta and Karlijn Massar and Mcfall, {Joseph P.} and Moises Mebarak and Miccoli, {Maria Rosa} and Milfont, {Taciano L.} and Pavol Prokop and Toivo Aavik and Patr{\'i}cia Arriaga and Roberto Baiocco and Ji{\v r}{\'i} {\v C}en{\v e}k and Hakan {\c C}etinkaya and Izzet Duyar and Farida Guemaz and Tatsunori Ishii and Kamburidis, {Julia A.} and Hareesol Khun-Inkeeree and Lidborg, {Linda H.} and Hagar Manor and Ravit Nussinson and Omar-Fauzee, {Mohd Sofian B.} and Farid Pazhoohi and Koen Ponnet and Santos, {Anabela Caetano} and Oksana Senyk and Ognen Spasovski and Mona Vintila and Wang, {Austin H.} and Gyesook Yoo and Oulmann Zerhouni and Rizwana Amin and Sibele Aquino and Merve Boğa and Mahmoud Boussena and Can, {Ali R.} and Seda Can and Rita Castro and Antonio Chirumbolo and Ogeday {\c C}oker and Cl{\'e}ment Cornec and Seda Dural and Eder, {Stephanie J.} and Moharrampour, {Nasim Ghahraman} and Simone Grassini and Evgeniya Hristova and G{\"o}zde Ikizer and Nicolas Kervyn and Mehmet Koyuncu and Yoshihiko Kunisato and Samuel Lins and Tetyana Mandzyk and Silvia Mari and Mattiassi, {Alan D.A.} and Aybegum Memisoglu-Sanli and Mara Morelli and Novaes, {Felipe C.} and Miriam Parise and Banai, {Irena Pavela} and Mariia Perun and Nejc Plohl and Sahli, {Fatima Zahra} and Du{\v s}ana {\v S}akan and Sanja Smojver-Azic and {\c C}ağlar Solak and Sinem S{\"o}ylemez and Asako Toyama and Anna Wlodarczyk and Yuki Yamada and Beatriz Abad-Villaverde and Reza Afhami and Grace Akello and Alami, {Nael H.} and Leyla Alma and Marios Argyrides and Derya Atamt{\"u}rk and Nana Burduli and Sayra Cardona and Jo{\~a}o Carneiro and Andrea Casta{\~n}eda and Izabela Cha{\l}atkiewicz and Chopik, {William J.} and Dimitri Chubinidze and Daniel Conroy-Beam and Jorge Contreras-Gardu{\~n}o and {Da Silva}, {Diana Ribeiro} and Don, {Yahya B.} and Silvia Donato and Dmitrii Dubrov and Michaela Dura{\v c}kov{\'a} and Sanjana Dutt and Ebimgbo, {Samuel O.} and Ignacio Estevan and Edgardo Etchezahar and Peter Fedor and Feten Fekih-Romdhane and Tomasz Frackowiak and Katarzyna Galasinska and {\L}ukasz Gargula and Benjamin Gelbart and Yepes, {Talia Gomez} and Brahim Hamdaoui and Ivana Hromatko and Itibi, {Salome N.} and Luna Jaforte and Janssen, {Steve M.J.} and Marija Jovic and Kertechian, {Kevin S.} and Farah Khan and Aleksander Kobylarek and Maida Koso-Drljevic and Anna Krasnod{\c e}bska and Valerija Kri{\v z}ani{\'c} and Miguel Landa-Blanco and Alvaro Mailhos and Tiago Marot and Dorcic, {Tamara Martinac} and Martha Martinez-Banfi and Yusof, {Mat Rahimi} and Marlon Mayorga-Lascano and Vita Mikuli{\v c}iūtė and Katarina Mi{\v s}eti{\'c} and Bojan Musil and Arooj Najmussaqib and Muthu, {Kavitha Nalla} and Natividade, {Jean C.} and Ndukaihe, {Izuchukwu L.G.} and Nyhus, {Ellen K.} and Elisabeth Oberzaucher and Omar, {Salma S.} and Franciszek Ostaszewski and Pacquing, {Ma. Criselda T.} and Pagani, {Ariela F.} and Park, {Ju Hee} and Ekaterine Pirtskhalava and Ulf-Dietrich Reips and Reyes, {Marc Eric S.} and R{\"o}er, {Jan P.} and Ay{\c s}eg{\"u}l {\c S}ahin and Adil Samekin and Rūta Sargautytė and Tatiana Semenovskikh and Henrik Siepelmeyer and Sangeeta Singh and Alicja So{\l}tys and Agnieszka Sorokowska and Rodrigo Soto-L{\'o}pez and Liliya Sultanova and William Tamayo-Agudelo and Chee-Seng Tan and Topanova, {Gulmira T.} and Bulut, {Merve Topcu} and Bastien Tr{\'e}moli{\`e}re and Singha Tulyakul and T{\"u}rkan, {Belg{\"u}zar N.} and Arkadiusz Urbanek and Tatiana Volkodav and Walter, {Kathryn V.} and Yaakob, {Mohd Faiz Mohd} and Marcos Zum{\'a}rraga-Espinosa",

year = "2022",

doi = "10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2022.08.003",

language = "English",

volume = "43",

pages = "455--474",

journal = "Evolution and Human Behavior",

issn = "1090-5138",

publisher = "Elsevier Inc.",

}

Kowal, M, Sorokowski, P, Pisanski, K, Valentova, JV, Varella, MAC, Frederick, DA, Al-Shawaf, L, García, FE, Giammusso, I, Gjoneska, B, Kozma, L, Otterbring, T, Papadatou-Pastou, M, Pfuhl, G, Stöckli, S, Studzinska, A, Toplu-Demirtaş, E, Touloumakos, AK, Bakos, BE, Batres, C, Bonneterre, S, Czamanski-Cohen, J, Dacanay, JC, Deschrijver, E, Fisher, ML, Grano, C, Grigoryev, D, Kačmár, P, Kozlov, MV, Manunta, E, Massar, K, Mcfall, JP, Mebarak, M, Miccoli, MR, Milfont, TL, Prokop, P, Aavik, T, Arriaga, P, Baiocco, R, Čeněk, J, Çetinkaya, H, Duyar, I, Guemaz, F, Ishii, T, Kamburidis, JA, Khun-Inkeeree, H, Lidborg, LH, Manor, H, Nussinson, R, Omar-Fauzee, MSB, Pazhoohi, F, Ponnet, K, Santos, AC, Senyk, O, Spasovski, O, Vintila, M, Wang, AH, Yoo, G, Zerhouni, O, Amin, R, Aquino, S, Boğa, M, Boussena, M, Can, AR, Can, S, Castro, R, Chirumbolo, A, Çoker, O, Cornec, C, Dural, S, Eder, SJ, Moharrampour, NG, Grassini, S, Hristova, E, Ikizer, G, Kervyn, N, Koyuncu, M, Kunisato, Y, Lins, S, Mandzyk, T, Mari, S, Mattiassi, ADA, Memisoglu-Sanli, A, Morelli, M, Novaes, FC, Parise, M, Banai, IP, Perun, M, Plohl, N, Sahli, FZ, Šakan, D, Smojver-Azic, S, Solak, Ç, Söylemez, S, Toyama, A, Wlodarczyk, A, Yamada, Y, Abad-Villaverde, B, Afhami, R, Akello, G, Alami, NH, Alma, L, Argyrides, M, Atamtürk, D, Burduli, N, Cardona, S, Carneiro, J, Castañeda, A, Chałatkiewicz, I, Chopik, WJ, Chubinidze, D, Conroy-Beam, D, Contreras-Garduño, J, Da Silva, DR, Don, YB, Donato, S, Dubrov, D, Duračková, M, Dutt, S, Ebimgbo, SO, Estevan, I, Etchezahar, E, Fedor, P, Fekih-Romdhane, F, Frackowiak, T, Galasinska, K, Gargula, Ł, Gelbart, B, Yepes, TG, Hamdaoui, B, Hromatko, I, Itibi, SN, Jaforte, L, Janssen, SMJ, Jovic, M, Kertechian, KS, Khan, F, Kobylarek, A, Koso-Drljevic, M, Krasnodębska, A, Križanić, V, Landa-Blanco, M, Mailhos, A, Marot, T, Dorcic, TM, Martinez-Banfi, M, Yusof, MR, Mayorga-Lascano, M, Mikuličiūtė, V, Mišetić, K, Musil, B, Najmussaqib, A, Muthu, KN, Natividade, JC, Ndukaihe, ILG, Nyhus, EK, Oberzaucher, E, Omar, SS, Ostaszewski, F, Pacquing, MCT, Pagani, AF, Park, JH, Pirtskhalava, E, Reips, U-D, Reyes, MES, Röer, JP, Şahin, A, Samekin, A, Sargautytė, R, Semenovskikh, T, Siepelmeyer, H, Singh, S, Sołtys, A, Sorokowska, A, Soto-López, R, Sultanova, L, Tamayo-Agudelo, W, Tan, C-S, Topanova, GT, Bulut, MT, Trémolière, B, Tulyakul, S, Türkan, BN, Urbanek, A, Volkodav, T, Walter, KV, Yaakob, MFM & Zumárraga-Espinosa, M 2022, 'Predictors of enhancing human physical attractiveness: Data from 93 countries', Evolution and Human Behavior, vol. 43, pp. 455-474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2022.08.003

TY - JOUR

T1 - Predictors of enhancing human physical attractiveness: Data from 93 countries

AU - Kowal, Marta

AU - Sorokowski, Piotr

AU - Pisanski, Katarzyna

AU - Valentova, Jaroslava V.

AU - Varella, Marco A.C.

AU - Frederick, David A.

AU - Al-Shawaf, Laith

AU - García, Felipe E.

AU - Giammusso, Isabella

AU - Gjoneska, Biljana

AU - Kozma, Luca

AU - Otterbring, Tobias

AU - Papadatou-Pastou, Marietta

AU - Pfuhl, Gerit

AU - Stöckli, Sabrina

AU - Studzinska, Anna

AU - Toplu-Demirtaş, Ezgi

AU - Touloumakos, Anna K.

AU - Bakos, Bence E.

AU - Batres, Carlota

AU - Bonneterre, Solenne

AU - Czamanski-Cohen, Johanna

AU - Dacanay, Jovi C.

AU - Deschrijver, Eliane

AU - Fisher, Maryanne L.

AU - Grano, Caterina

AU - Grigoryev, Dmitry

AU - Kačmár, Pavol

AU - Kozlov, Mikhail V.

AU - Manunta, Efisio

AU - Massar, Karlijn

AU - Mcfall, Joseph P.

AU - Mebarak, Moises

AU - Miccoli, Maria Rosa

AU - Milfont, Taciano L.

AU - Prokop, Pavol

AU - Aavik, Toivo

AU - Arriaga, Patrícia

AU - Baiocco, Roberto

AU - Čeněk, Jiří

AU - Çetinkaya, Hakan

AU - Duyar, Izzet

AU - Guemaz, Farida

AU - Ishii, Tatsunori

AU - Kamburidis, Julia A.

AU - Khun-Inkeeree, Hareesol

AU - Lidborg, Linda H.

AU - Manor, Hagar

AU - Nussinson, Ravit

AU - Omar-Fauzee, Mohd Sofian B.

AU - Pazhoohi, Farid

AU - Ponnet, Koen

AU - Santos, Anabela Caetano

AU - Senyk, Oksana

AU - Spasovski, Ognen

AU - Vintila, Mona

AU - Wang, Austin H.

AU - Yoo, Gyesook

AU - Zerhouni, Oulmann

AU - Amin, Rizwana

AU - Aquino, Sibele

AU - Boğa, Merve

AU - Boussena, Mahmoud

AU - Can, Ali R.

AU - Can, Seda

AU - Castro, Rita

AU - Chirumbolo, Antonio

AU - Çoker, Ogeday

AU - Cornec, Clément

AU - Dural, Seda

AU - Eder, Stephanie J.

AU - Moharrampour, Nasim Ghahraman

AU - Grassini, Simone

AU - Hristova, Evgeniya

AU - Ikizer, Gözde

AU - Kervyn, Nicolas

AU - Koyuncu, Mehmet

AU - Kunisato, Yoshihiko

AU - Lins, Samuel

AU - Mandzyk, Tetyana

AU - Mari, Silvia

AU - Mattiassi, Alan D.A.

AU - Memisoglu-Sanli, Aybegum

AU - Morelli, Mara

AU - Novaes, Felipe C.

AU - Parise, Miriam

AU - Banai, Irena Pavela

AU - Perun, Mariia

AU - Plohl, Nejc

AU - Sahli, Fatima Zahra

AU - Šakan, Dušana

AU - Smojver-Azic, Sanja

AU - Solak, Çağlar

AU - Söylemez, Sinem

AU - Toyama, Asako

AU - Wlodarczyk, Anna

AU - Yamada, Yuki

AU - Abad-Villaverde, Beatriz

AU - Afhami, Reza

AU - Akello, Grace

AU - Alami, Nael H.

AU - Alma, Leyla

AU - Argyrides, Marios

AU - Atamtürk, Derya

AU - Burduli, Nana

AU - Cardona, Sayra

AU - Carneiro, João

AU - Castañeda, Andrea

AU - Chałatkiewicz, Izabela

AU - Chopik, William J.

AU - Chubinidze, Dimitri

AU - Conroy-Beam, Daniel

AU - Contreras-Garduño, Jorge

AU - Da Silva, Diana Ribeiro

AU - Don, Yahya B.

AU - Donato, Silvia

AU - Dubrov, Dmitrii

AU - Duračková, Michaela

AU - Dutt, Sanjana

AU - Ebimgbo, Samuel O.

AU - Estevan, Ignacio

AU - Etchezahar, Edgardo

AU - Fedor, Peter

AU - Fekih-Romdhane, Feten

AU - Frackowiak, Tomasz

AU - Galasinska, Katarzyna

AU - Gargula, Łukasz

AU - Gelbart, Benjamin

AU - Yepes, Talia Gomez

AU - Hamdaoui, Brahim

AU - Hromatko, Ivana

AU - Itibi, Salome N.

AU - Jaforte, Luna

AU - Janssen, Steve M.J.

AU - Jovic, Marija

AU - Kertechian, Kevin S.

AU - Khan, Farah

AU - Kobylarek, Aleksander

AU - Koso-Drljevic, Maida

AU - Krasnodębska, Anna

AU - Križanić, Valerija

AU - Landa-Blanco, Miguel

AU - Mailhos, Alvaro

AU - Marot, Tiago

AU - Dorcic, Tamara Martinac

AU - Martinez-Banfi, Martha

AU - Yusof, Mat Rahimi

AU - Mayorga-Lascano, Marlon

AU - Mikuličiūtė, Vita

AU - Mišetić, Katarina

AU - Musil, Bojan

AU - Najmussaqib, Arooj

AU - Muthu, Kavitha Nalla

AU - Natividade, Jean C.

AU - Ndukaihe, Izuchukwu L.G.

AU - Nyhus, Ellen K.

AU - Oberzaucher, Elisabeth

AU - Omar, Salma S.

AU - Ostaszewski, Franciszek

AU - Pacquing, Ma. Criselda T.

AU - Pagani, Ariela F.

AU - Park, Ju Hee

AU - Pirtskhalava, Ekaterine

AU - Reips, Ulf-Dietrich

AU - Reyes, Marc Eric S.

AU - Röer, Jan P.

AU - Şahin, Ayşegül

AU - Samekin, Adil

AU - Sargautytė, Rūta

AU - Semenovskikh, Tatiana

AU - Siepelmeyer, Henrik

AU - Singh, Sangeeta

AU - Sołtys, Alicja

AU - Sorokowska, Agnieszka

AU - Soto-López, Rodrigo

AU - Sultanova, Liliya

AU - Tamayo-Agudelo, William

AU - Tan, Chee-Seng

AU - Topanova, Gulmira T.

AU - Bulut, Merve Topcu

AU - Trémolière, Bastien

AU - Tulyakul, Singha

AU - Türkan, Belgüzar N.

AU - Urbanek, Arkadiusz

AU - Volkodav, Tatiana

AU - Walter, Kathryn V.

AU - Yaakob, Mohd Faiz Mohd

AU - Zumárraga-Espinosa, Marcos

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - People across the world and throughout history have gone to great lengths to enhance their physical appearance. Evolutionary psychologists and ethologists have largely attempted to explain this phenomenon via mating preferences and strategies. Here, we test one of the most popular evolutionary hypotheses for beauty-enhancing behaviors, drawn from mating market and parasite stress perspectives, in a large cross-cultural sample. We also test hypotheses drawn from other influential and non-mutually exclusive theoretical frameworks, from biosocial role theory to a cultural media perspective. Survey data from 93,158 human participants across 93 countries provide evidence that behaviors such as applying makeup or using other cosmetics, hair grooming, clothing style, caring for body hygiene, and exercising or following a specific diet for the specific purpose of improving ones physical attractiveness, are universal. Indeed, 99% of participants reported spending >10 min a day performing beauty-enhancing behaviors. The results largely support evolutionary hypotheses: more time was spent enhancing beauty by women (almost 4 h a day, on average) than by men (3.6 h a day), by the youngest participants (and contrary to predictions, also the oldest), by those with a relatively more severe history of infectious diseases, and by participants currently dating compared to those in established relationships. The strongest predictor of attractiveness-enhancing behaviors was social media usage. Other predictors, in order of effect size, included adhering to traditional gender roles, residing in countries with less gender equality, considering oneself as highly attractive or, conversely, highly unattractive, TV watching time, higher socioeconomic status, right-wing political beliefs, a lower level of education, and personal individualistic attitudes. This study provides novel insight into universal beauty-enhancing behaviors by unifying evolutionary theory with several other complementary perspectives.

AB - People across the world and throughout history have gone to great lengths to enhance their physical appearance. Evolutionary psychologists and ethologists have largely attempted to explain this phenomenon via mating preferences and strategies. Here, we test one of the most popular evolutionary hypotheses for beauty-enhancing behaviors, drawn from mating market and parasite stress perspectives, in a large cross-cultural sample. We also test hypotheses drawn from other influential and non-mutually exclusive theoretical frameworks, from biosocial role theory to a cultural media perspective. Survey data from 93,158 human participants across 93 countries provide evidence that behaviors such as applying makeup or using other cosmetics, hair grooming, clothing style, caring for body hygiene, and exercising or following a specific diet for the specific purpose of improving ones physical attractiveness, are universal. Indeed, 99% of participants reported spending >10 min a day performing beauty-enhancing behaviors. The results largely support evolutionary hypotheses: more time was spent enhancing beauty by women (almost 4 h a day, on average) than by men (3.6 h a day), by the youngest participants (and contrary to predictions, also the oldest), by those with a relatively more severe history of infectious diseases, and by participants currently dating compared to those in established relationships. The strongest predictor of attractiveness-enhancing behaviors was social media usage. Other predictors, in order of effect size, included adhering to traditional gender roles, residing in countries with less gender equality, considering oneself as highly attractive or, conversely, highly unattractive, TV watching time, higher socioeconomic status, right-wing political beliefs, a lower level of education, and personal individualistic attitudes. This study provides novel insight into universal beauty-enhancing behaviors by unifying evolutionary theory with several other complementary perspectives.

KW - Appearance

KW - Evolutionary theory

KW - Mating market perspective

KW - Pathogen stress

KW - Self-modification

KW - Social media usage

KW - Appearance

KW - Evolutionary theory

KW - Mating market perspective

KW - Pathogen stress

KW - Self-modification

KW - Social media usage

UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10807/220205

U2 - 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2022.08.003

DO - 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2022.08.003

M3 - Article

SN - 1090-5138

VL - 43

SP - 455

EP - 474

JO - Evolution and Human Behavior

JF - Evolution and Human Behavior

ER -

Predictors of enhancing human physical attractiveness: Data from 93 countries

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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