A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Predictors of enhancing human physical attractiveness: Data from 93 countries
Authors: Kowal Marta, Sorokowski Piotr, Pisanski Katarzyna, Valentova Jaroslava V., Varella Marco A.C., Frederick David A., Al-Shawaf Laith, García Felipe E., Giammusso Isabella, Gjoneska Biljana, Kozma Luca, Otterbring Tobias, Papadatou-Pastou Marietta, Pfuhl Gerit, Stockli Sabrina, Studzinska Anna, Toplu-Demirtas Ezgi, Touloumakoss Anna K., Bakos Bence E., Batres Carlota, Bonneterre Solenne, Czamanski-Cohen Johanna, Dacanay Jovi C., Deschrijver Eliane, Fisher Maryanne L., Grano Caterina, Grigoryev Dmitry, Kacmar Pavol, Kozlov Mikhail V., Manunta Efisio, Massar Karlijn, McFall Joseph P., Mebarak Moises, Miccoli Maria Rosa, Milfont Taciano L., Prokop Pavol, Aavik Toivo, Arriaga Patrícia, Baiocco Roberto, Cenek Jirí, Çetinkaya Hakan, Duyar Izzet, Guemaz Farida, Ishii Tatsunori, Kamburidis Julia A., Khun-Inkeeree Hareesol, Lidborg Linda H., Manor Hagar, Nussinson Ravit, Omar-Fauzee Mohd Sofian B., Pazhoohi Farid, Ponnet Koen, Santos Anabela Caetano, Senyk Oksana, Spasovski Ognen, Vintila Mona, Wang Austin H., Yoo Gyesook, Zerhouni Oulmann, Amin Rizwana, Aquino Sibele, Boga Merve, Boussena Mahmoud, Can Ali R., Can Seda, Castro Rita, Chirumbolo Antonio, Çoker Ogeday, Cornec Clement, Dural Seda, Eder Stephanie J., Moharrampour Nasim Ghahraman, Grassini Simone, Hristova Evgeniya, Ikizer Gozde, Kervyn Nicolas, Koyuncu Mehmet, Kunisato Yoshihiko, Lins Samuel, Mandzyk Tetyana, Mari Silvia, Mattiassi Alan D.A., Memisoglu-Sanli Aybegum, Morelli Mara, Novaes Felipe C., Parise Miriam, Banai Irena Pavela, Perun Mariia, Plohl Nejc, Sahli Fatima Zahra, Sakan Dusana, Smojver-Azic Sanja, Solak Çaglar, Soylemez Sinem, Toyama Asako, Wlodarczyk Anna, Yamada Yuki, Abad-Villaverde Beatriz, Afhami Reza, Akello Grace, Alami Nael H., Alma Leyla, Argyrides Marios, Atamtürk Derya, Burduli Nana, Cardona Sayra, Carneiro Joao, Castaneda Andrea, Chałatkiewicz Izabela, Chopik William J., Chubinidze Dimitri, Conroy-Beam Daniel, Contreras-Garduno Jorge, da Silva Diana Ribeiro, Don Yahya B., Donato Silvia, Dubrov Dmitrii, Durackova Michaela, Dutt Sanjana, Ebimgbo Samuel O., Estevan Ignacio, Etchezahar Edgardo, Fedor Peter, Fekih-Romdhane Feten, Frackowiak Tomasz, Galasinska Katarzyna, Gargula Łukasz, Gelbart Benjamin, Yepes Talia Gomez, Hamdaoui Brahim, Hromatko Ivana, Itibi Salome N., Jaforte Luna, Janssen Steve M.J., Jovic Marija, Kertechian Kevin S., Khan Farah, Kobylarek Aleksander, Koso-Drljevic Maida, Krasnodębska Anna, Krizanic Valerija, Landa-Blanco Miguel, Mailhos Alvaro, Marot Tiago, Dorcic Tamara Martinac, Martinez-Banfi Martha, Yusof MatRahimi, Mayorga-Lascano Marlon, Mikuliciute Vita, Misetic Katarina, Musil Bojan, Najmussaqib Arooj, Muthu Kavitha Nalla, Natividade Jean C., Ndukaihe Izuchukwu L.G., Nyhus Ellen K., Oberzaucher Elisabeth, Omar Salma S., Ostaszewski Franciszek, Pacquing Ma. Criselda T., Pagani Ariela F., Park Ju Hee, Pirtskhalava Ekaterine, Reips Ulf-Dietrich, Reyes Marc Eric S., Roer Jan P., Sahin Aysegül, Samekin Adil, Sargautyte Ruta, Semenovskikh Tatiana, Siepelmeyer Henrik, Singh Sangeeta, Sołtys Alicja, Sorokowska Agnieszka, Soto-Lopez Rodrigo, Sultanova Liliya, Tamayo-Agudelo William, Tan Chee-Seng, Topanova Gulmira T., Bulut Merve Topcu, Tremoliere Bastien, Tulyakul Singha, Türkan Belgüzar N., Urbanek Arkadiusz, Volkodav Tatiana, Walter Kathryn V., Yaakob Mohd Faiz Mohd, Zumarraga-Espinosa Marcos
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.
Publication year: 2022
Journal: Evolution and Human Behavior
Journal name in source: Evolution and Human Behavior
Volume: 43
Issue: 6
First page : 455
Last page: 474
eISSN: 1879-0607
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2022.08.003
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2022.08.003
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/176538358
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.
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