No relationship between intelligence and facial attractiveness in a large, genetically informative sample

Mitchem, Dorian G.; Zietsch, Brendan P.; Wright, Margaret J.; Martin, Nicholas G.; Hewitt, John K.

doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2014.11.009

Cited by 21 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…2 For more studies and meta-analyses concerning the specific link between attractiveness and intelligence please refer to Jackson, Hunter, & Hodge, 1995, Kanazawa, 2011, Langlois et al, 2000, and Mitchem et al, 2015 Mirroring the results we present here, recent research suggests that there is an absent or low correlation between attractiveness and actual intelligence (cf. Mitchem et al, 2015). 3 In this case vector correlations refer to correlations between Fisher z-transformed cue validity/utilization correlations across traits.…”

Section: Outlook and Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 51%

Contributions of Nonverbal Cues to the Accurate Judgment of Personality Traits

Breil¹,

Osterholz²,

Nestler³

et al. 2019

Preprint

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In this chapter, we summarize research on nonverbal expressions of behavior (nonverbal cues) and how they contribute to the accuracy of personality judgments. First, we present a conceptual overview of relevant nonverbal cues in the domains of facial expressions, body language, paralanguage, and appearance as well as approaches to assess these cues on different levels of aggregation. We then summarize research on the validity of nonverbal cues (what kind of nonverbal cues are good indicators of personality?) as well as the utilization of nonverbal cues (what kind of nonverbal cues lead to personality impressions?), resulting in a catalogue of those cues that drive judgment accuracy for different traits. Finally, we discuss personal and situational characteristics that moderate the expression and utilization of nonverbal cues and give an outlook for future research.

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Section: Outlook and Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 51%

Contributions of Nonverbal Cues to the Accurate Judgment of Personality Traits

Breil¹,

Osterholz²,

Nestler³

et al. 2019

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Pertinently, we previously found no significant genetic correlation between facial attractiveness and intelligence in the sample used in the present study (Mitchem et al, 2015). For a more nuanced discussion of the link between facial attractiveness and IQ, see Mitchem et al (2015).…”

mentioning

confidence: 42%

“…These photographs were rated on a number of traits, such as facial attractiveness, facial masculinity, and trustworthiness. For the analyses presented here, we focus on ratings of perceived intelligence (for more detail on the rating process, see Mitchem et al, 2015). For perceived intelligence, photographs were presented in a random order to one of two groups of undergraduate research assistants (21 in total; 12 Females, 9 Males; 19-30 years, median = 22 years).…”

Section: Photographsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, other research has found no association between facial attractiveness and intelligence (Feingold, 1992;Langlois et al, 2000;Mitchem et al, 2015), or have even suggested that facial attractiveness hinders accuracy of intelligence judgements . Pertinently, we previously found no significant genetic correlation between facial attractiveness and intelligence in the sample used in the present study (Mitchem et al, 2015). For a more nuanced discussion of the link between facial attractiveness and IQ, see Mitchem et al (2015).…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Some premises for this notion are supported; for instance, women rate faces manipulated to appear more intelligent as more attractive (Moore, Law Smith, & Perrett, 2014) and may also find cues to intelligence more attractive when fertile (Haselton & Miller, 2006; but see Gangestad, Thornhill, & Garver-Apgar, 2010). However, other research has found no association between facial attractiveness and intelligence (Feingold, 1992;Langlois et al, 2000;Mitchem et al, 2015), or have even suggested that facial attractiveness hinders accuracy of intelligence judgements . Pertinently, we previously found no significant genetic correlation between facial attractiveness and intelligence in the sample used in the present study (Mitchem et al, 2015).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Assessing the accuracy of perceptions of intelligence based on heritable facial features

et al. 2017

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Perceptions of intelligence based on facial features can have a profound impact on many social situations, but findings have been mixed as to whether these judgements are accurate. Even if such perceptions were accurate, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Several possibilities have been proposed, including evolutionary explanations where certain morphological facial features are associated with fitness-related traits (including cognitive development), or that intelligence judgements are over-generalisation of cues of transitory states that can influence cognition (e.g., tiredness). Here, we attempt to identify the morphological signals that individuals use to make intelligence judgements from facial photographs. In a genetically informative sample of 1660 twins and their siblings, we measured IQ and also perceptions of intelligence based on facial photographs. We found that intelligence judgements were associated with both stable morphological facial traits (face height, interpupillary distance, and nose size) and more transitory facial cues (eyelid openness, and mouth curvature). There was a significant association between perceived intelligence and measured IQ, but of the specific facial attributes only interpupillary distance (i.e., wide-set eyes) significantly mediated this relationship. We also found evidence that perceived intelligence and measured IQ share a familial component, though we could not distinguish between genetic and shared environmental sources.

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Physical Attractiveness and the General Factor of Personality

Dunkel

Nedelec

Linden

et al. 2016

Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology

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Personality traits covary to form a General Factor of Personality (GFP). Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), the associations between the GFP and both self-reported and rater-based physical attractiveness were examined. While it was predicted that the GFP would exhibit positive associations with each measure of physical attractiveness, it was also predicted that the nature of the associations would vary. Indeed, the GFP was positively correlated with both measures of physical attractiveness, yet each measure accounted for unique variance in the GFP. Additional tests examining the relative importance of the GFP (in comparison to the individual traits), in explaining variance in attractiveness suggested that the GFP is more important in explaining variance in rater-based than self-reported attractiveness. The differences in associations were buttressed by tests using the Add Health sibling subsample. The results of genetic analyses showed that the GFP covariation with the rater-based measure of physical attractiveness was exclusively due to additive genetic factors. Nonshared environment explained the majority of the covariation between the GFP and self-reported attractiveness. The results may shed light on the proximate and ultimate nature of the GFP.

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No relationship between intelligence and facial attractiveness in a large, genetically informative sample

Cited by 21 publications

References 64 publications

Contributions of Nonverbal Cues to the Accurate Judgment of Personality Traits

Contributions of Nonverbal Cues to the Accurate Judgment of Personality Traits

Assessing the accuracy of perceptions of intelligence based on heritable facial features

Physical Attractiveness and the General Factor of Personality

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