Multiple faces in a group create the “cheerleader effect,” making individuals appear more attractive by diluting imperfections. Symmetrical features are generally considered more attractive, and personality traits play a role in mate selection.
People are perceived as more attractive when they’re in a group because any facial asymmetries or other imperfections appear less obvious, research suggests. This has been dubbed the “cheerleader effect”. Researchers believe that when multiple faces are in a group, the viewer’s visual system combines all of the collective features and averages them out, which typically results in a more attractive face because any individual imperfections are diluted. When the visual system sees only one person’s face, it is able to bring any individual asymmetries or disproportionate features into closer focus and more severely judge that person’s attractiveness.
Learn more about perceived attractiveness:
One study found that, on first impressions, people are able to accurately determine the personality traits of people they find attractive.
Symmetrical characteristics are generally considered more attractive because, from an evolutionary point of view, asymmetry is associated with genetic mutations that could result in a lower survival rate.
Having similar heritable personality traits accounts for about a third of a person’s decision when choosing a mate, research suggests.
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