- Men overestimate how much masculinity women find attractive in male faces, particularly for short-term relationships.
- Women tend to believe that men prefer ultra-feminine facial features, but research shows men favor a more moderate level of femininity.
- People with lower self-esteem misjudge attraction preferences more significantly, highlighting the role of self-perception.
- Cultural and societal influences shape misperceptions, reinforcing unrealistic beauty standards.
- Facial attractiveness is just one component of attraction; personality, confidence, and body language play a major role.
What makes a face attractive? While personal preferences vary, many people believe the opposite sex desires extreme traits—like a rugged masculine face for men or a delicate, ultra-feminine appearance for women. However, research published in PLOS ONE suggests otherwise. This study uncovers significant misjudgments in how men and women perceive attractiveness, revealing how gender differences, self-image, and cultural influences shape these misconceptions.
The Study on Attraction Perception
To analyze how men and women evaluate facial attractiveness, psychologist David I. Perrett and colleagues conducted an intriguing study. Participants were shown interactive 3D models of faces, which they could alter to reflect their perception of the most attractive male and female traits. The objective was to determine whether men and women accurately understand what the opposite sex finds attractive, particularly in terms of masculinity and femininity.
The researchers hypothesized that:
- Men would overestimate how masculine a face should be for women to find it attractive.
- Women would overestimate how feminine a face should be for men to find it attractive.
Surprisingly, both predictions were correct, highlighting key gender-based perception errors in attraction.
How Men Misjudge Women’s Preferences
A key takeaway from the study is that men mistakenly assume women prefer highly masculine faces.
Expectation vs. Reality
- Many men believe that women find angular jawlines, prominent brow ridges, and a chiseled appearance most attractive.
- However, findings show that women generally favor more moderate masculinity rather than extreme ruggedness.
- This misjudgment was exaggerated in short-term attraction scenarios, where men assumed women would prefer more masculine faces—but data revealed that women’s preferences remained relatively stable.
Why Do Men Make This Mistake?
- Media & Pop Culture: Celebrities like Chris Hemsworth or Henry Cavill often represent the “ideal” male look, reinforcing the idea that hyper-masculinity is necessary for attractiveness.
- Evolutionary Psychology: Some theories suggest that masculine features indicate strength and genetic fitness, leading men to believe they are more desirable.
- Social Competition: Men might assume that looking more masculine gives them an edge when competing for a partner, even if women don’t specifically seek that trait.
How Women Misjudge Men’s Preferences
Just as men overestimate women’s preference for masculinity, women tend to assume men prefer ultra-feminine features.
Expectation vs. Reality
- Women predicted men would prefer extreme femininity: large eyes, tiny noses, and delicate features.
- However, the study found that men preferred a lower level of femininity than women expected.
Why Do Women Make This Mistake?
- Beauty Standards & Media Influence: The fashion and cosmetic industries often promote an exaggerated feminine ideal—flawless skin, doll-like eyes, and small facial features—which women internalize.
- Self-Perception & Insecurity: The study found that women who were dissatisfied with their own looks were more likely to overestimate how feminine men wanted women to be.
- Cultural Conditioning: Many women are taught that their desirability hinges on appearing “as feminine as possible,” even if most men do not require extreme femininity in attraction.
These factors suggest that societal beauty norms influence women’s assumptions about attractiveness, even when those assumptions don’t align with men’s actual preferences.
The Role of Self-Perception in Attraction Preferences
Attraction isn’t just about evaluating others—it’s also about how we see ourselves.
Self-Esteem and Attraction Perception
- Participants who had lower self-esteem were more likely to misjudge opposite-sex preferences—especially women who underestimated how attractive moderate femininity was.
- This suggests that people project their own insecurities onto their assumptions about attractiveness, often reinforcing unrealistic beauty ideals.
Implications on Mental Health
- The pressure to conform to exaggerated standards can damage self-image, creating unnecessary dissatisfaction.
- This can influence behavior, encouraging people to alter their appearance unnaturally based on incorrect beliefs.
- Recognizing these perception errors can reduce social anxiety and help individuals embrace a more authentic self-image.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Relationship Preferences
The study also explored whether people’s misjudgments changed based on relationship context.
What Did Men Expect?
- Men believed women would prefer very masculine features in short-term partners (likely due to the stereotype of “alpha” males being more attractive for casual relationships).
- However, the study found women’s preferences remained fairly consistent regardless of relationship length.
Are Women as Focused on Looks for Short-Term Relationships?
- Unlike men, women did not significantly change their preferences based on casual vs. long-term relationships.
- While traits like confidence and personality likely play a role, the study suggests extreme masculinity isn’t necessarily a short-term advantage.
This challenges common assumptions men may have about how to “appear more attractive” in specific dating contexts.
Social and Cultural Influences on Attraction Perception
Why do these misjudgments persist? Culture and media bombard people with specific aesthetics of beauty:
Media & Beauty Ideals
- Movies, advertisements, and social media reinforce hyper-masculine and hyper-feminine portrayals.
- These portrayals influence personal beliefs, even though real-life attraction is more nuanced.
Evolutionary Psychology vs. Social Conditioning
- Some attraction patterns may have evolutionary roots (such as preferences for youthful or symmetrical faces as indicators of health).
- However, these preferences change over time and are heavily shaped by social constructs.
- Rather than being purely “biological,” attraction is a mix of inherited traits and learned expectations.
Understanding these influences can help eliminate unrealistic standards and promote healthier self-perception.
Beyond Facial Features: The Bigger Picture of Attraction
While facial attractiveness plays a role in attraction, it’s not everything.
What Else Matters?
- Personality: Sense of humor, kindness, and intelligence are consistently rated as attractive traits.
- Confidence & Body Language: Studies show that those who appear self-assured and engage in positive social behaviors are seen as more attractive.
- Emotional Connection: People are drawn to partners who make them feel safe, valued, and understood.
By focusing on these traits rather than fixating on exaggerated physical ideals, people can cultivate more satisfying relationships and boost their own self-esteem.
Practical Takeaways & Self-Confidence Strategies
By understanding the flaws in attraction perception, individuals can develop a healthier perspective on beauty and self-worth.
How to Improve Self-Perception & Dating Confidence
- Question Cultural Beauty Ideals: Recognize how media distorts attraction standards.
- Focus on More Than Looks: Confidence, intelligence, and authenticity contribute far more to attractiveness than facial structure alone.
- Challenge Your Own Misjudgments: Avoid assuming what the opposite sex finds attractive without evidence.
- Embrace Individuality: The most attractive trait is being comfortable in your own skin.
Final Thoughts
Understanding attraction perception can reduce self-doubt and eliminate unrealistic beauty expectations. Men and women frequently misjudge what the opposite sex finds attractive, shaping how they present themselves based on incorrect assumptions. Instead of obsessing over exaggerated facial traits, embracing confidence and authenticity leads to more rewarding relationships and higher self-esteem.
For more psychology-backed insights, explore the latest research at PLOS ONE.
Citation
- Perrett, D. I., Holzleitner, I. J., & Lei, X. (2024). Misperception of the facial appearance that the opposite sex desires. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310835
