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No evidence that facial width-to-height ratio (fWHR) is associated with women's sexual desire

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  • Weiqing Zhang
  • Amanda C Hahn
  • Ziyi Cai
  • Anthony J Lee
  • Iris J Holzleitner
  • Lisa M DeBruine
  • Benedict C Jones

Abstract

Facial width-to-height ratio (fWHR) has been linked to many different behavioral tendencies. However, not all of these correlations have replicated well across samples. Arnocky et al. (in press, Archives of Sexual Behavior) recently reported that sexual desire was correlated with fWHR. The current study aimed to test this relationship in a large sample of women. fWHR was measured from face images of 754 women. Each woman completed the Sexual Desire Inventory, which measures total, dyadic, and solitary sexual desire. Analyses revealed no significant correlations between fWHR and any of our measures of sexual desire. These null results do not support the hypothesis that fWHR is related to women’s sexual desire. Additionally, we found no evidence that women’s face-shape sexual dimorphism was related to their sociosexual orientation.

Suggested Citation

  • Weiqing Zhang & Amanda C Hahn & Ziyi Cai & Anthony J Lee & Iris J Holzleitner & Lisa M DeBruine & Benedict C Jones, 2018. "No evidence that facial width-to-height ratio (fWHR) is associated with women's sexual desire," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(7), pages 1-7, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0200308
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200308
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shawn N Geniole & Thomas F Denson & Barnaby J Dixson & Justin M Carré & Cheryl M McCormick, 2015. "Evidence from Meta-Analyses of the Facial Width-to-Height Ratio as an Evolved Cue of Threat," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Isabel M L Scott & Nicholas Pound & Ian D Stephen & Andrew P Clark & Ian S Penton-Voak, 2010. "Does Masculinity Matter? The Contribution of Masculine Face Shape to Male Attractiveness in Humans," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(10), pages 1-10, October.
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    1. Bjoern Krenn & Callum Buehler, 2019. "Facial features and unethical behavior – Doped athletes show higher facial width-to-height ratios than non-doping sanctioned athletes," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(10), pages 1-9, October.

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