French study shows men find simple facial features attractive. A woman's face is easier to understand the simpler it is, according to the study.
Researchers judged attractiveness based on sparseness and efficient neural coding. Men preferred faces that are well-stored in the brain.
A group of 169 men were asked to rate the attractiveness of random women's faces on a scale of 0-20. An algorithm then picked out the most attractive features.
The algorithm found a strong link between attractiveness and sparseness, a trait that is easy for the brain to understand and process.
Women with symmetrical, plain faces and no big features are the easiest for the brain to understand and find attractive, according to the study.
The study's lead researcher, Dr. Julien Renoult, says this research could help us better understand why we find certain body parts beautiful.
The research also suggests that sparseness can explain 10-15% of the variation in attractiveness, leaving room for other biological, cultural, and individual factors.
The study's findings challenge the idea that beauty is only skin deep and highlight the importance of understanding what makes us find certain features attractive.
While the study's focus was on men's preferences, it is likely that women also find simplicity and sparseness in facial features attractive.
So next time you're getting ready for a date, remember that simplicity and symmetry might just be your ticket to attractiveness.