Patrick Maloney
Brandy DeRudder
Laura Klaver

Click for a Transcript (pdf) of the video podcast.

• Cardenas, R. A., & Harris, L. J. (2006). Symmetrical decorations enhance the attractiveness of faces and abstract designs. Evolution and Human Behavior, 27, 1-18.
• Rhodes, G., Zebrowitz, L.A., Clark, A., Kalick, S.M., & Hightower, A. (2001). Do facial averageness and symmetry signal health? Evolution and Human Behavior, 22, 31-46.
• Waitt, C., & Little, A.C. (2006). Preferences for symmetry in conspecific facial shape among Macaca mulatta. International Journal of Primatology, 27, 133-145.

More to Explore

• Rhodes, G., Proffitt, F., Grady, J. M. & Sumich, A. (1998). Facial symmetry and the perception of beauty. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 5(4), 659-669.
  • The prediction that facial symmetry is attractive was tested by manipulating the symmetry of faces and observing the effect on attractiveness.
• Rikowski, A., & Grammer, K. (1999). Human body odour, symmetry and attractiveness. The Royal Society, 266, 869-874.
  • Attractiveness of a mate was assessed using facial and body symmetry as well as body odor to see if they signal general mate quality.
• Moller, A. P. (1992). Female swallow preference for symmetrical male sexual ornaments. Nature, 357, 238-240.
  • The tail length and asymmetry were manipulated in male swallows to determine whether ornament size or asymmetry were used as cues in mate choice.
• Swaddle, J.P., & Cuthill, I.C. (1994). Female Zebra finches prefer males with symmetric chest plumage. The Royal Society, 258(1353), 267-271.
  • The chest plumage of male zebra finches was manipulated within the boundaries or natural asymmetry, to see if females choose to display more for males with symmetric chest plumage.