Attractiveness

Researchers found that women prefer mates who show "growth motivation," meaning a desire to broaden perspectives and develop wisdom. This trait signals maturity and stability, making these men more desirable for long-term commitments.

People who see themselves and their partners as similarly high in desirability tend to report happier, more committed romantic relationships, according to new findings.

A new study in Social Psychological and Personality Science suggests that attraction to high-status partners depends on both the kind of status someone displays and the relationship a person wants.

A recent study tested whether ChatGPT sees faces like humans do. The findings suggest its judgments of social traits often mirror ours, including the tendency to associate attractiveness with other positive qualities—a bias common in human social perception.

Could a region’s economic health influence how its residents present themselves online? A recent study analyzed thousands of edited photos to explore an unexpected link between digital beauty standards and socioeconomic conditions.

Recent research suggests that women find men with lower body fat more attractive. While facial masculinity was linked to testosterone and age, the link between health and attractiveness was fully explained by adiposity, age, and hormone levels.

Beyond color and length, what makes hair appear attractive? A new study systematically alters hair shine, alignment, and volume to see how these features shape our judgments of female appearance.

A popular social media filter subtly reshapes faces in ways that are surprisingly specific. New research quantifies these digital alterations and explores their connection to aesthetic procedures.

Your political party can make or break a first impression on dating apps. But a new study suggests another political trait might be even more attractive to potential partners.

A major study on workplace attractiveness reveals a surprising twist: the "beauty premium" is weaker for female service employees. The analysis found men's perceived performance is more consistently influenced by their physical appearance.

The desire for plumper lips may be driven more by women than men. A recent study shows that preferences for lip size are largely shaped by own-gender biases, challenging assumptions about who cosmetic procedures appeal to.

Can your brain reveal your romantic type? A new study suggests it can, using machine learning to decode brainwaves and predict whether someone finds a potential partner attractive from just a glance.

A new study reveals that people with higher autistic traits perceive facial attractiveness differently. Researchers found a link between these traits and a stronger preference for masculine features in both male and female faces.

A new study suggests that attractive people are generally liked more—but not when they’re critical of others. Researchers found that verbal negativity can dampen the likability boost typically associated with good looks, both in behavior and neural responses.

Facial symmetry and good looks are only part of the picture. A new study suggests that scent, voice, and body motion also contribute to attractiveness—and people often disagree on who’s appealing.