Different Perceptions of Facial Attractiveness According to Race and Gender

Kim, Sang Hun; Rhee, Seung Chul; Hwang, Rahil; Lee, Soo Hyang

Abstract

There have been few studies investigating the differences in the perception of facial attractiveness according to gender, races and ethnicity. This study was conducted to determine whether different races or genders show actual differences in the perception of beauty. Using 5 composite faces of different races, this survey was designed on 486 participants from different races and ethnicities. Photographs of the composite faces were displayed on a large poster at Incheon International Airport and passersby were asked to take part in the survey regarding which composite face was the most attractive. Data were statistically analyzed to determine differences in beauty perception in terms of gender, race and ethnicity. There were significant differences in the perception of the most attractive face and the least attractive face according to gender. There were significant differences in the perception of the most and least attractive face according to race. Multivariate analysis also revealed that there were different perceptions of facial attractiveness according to ethnic backgrounds. The results of this study suggest that the perception of facial attractiveness may differ according to gender, race and ethnicity, and that some unique or peculiar patterns of beauty perception may exist.