Attractiveness

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.

A new study finds that while moderate eyelash length is seen as most attractive and healthiest, longer lashes are linked to greater perceived sexual receptivity—suggesting that long eyelashes may signal openness to casual relationships, despite lower attractiveness ratings.

New research suggests that minimally invasive facial aesthetic treatments, such as fillers and neurotoxin injections, offer only a modest boost in perceived attractiveness. The treatments had little effect on how trustworthy, competent, or romantically desirable people were judged to be.

New research from China suggests that women feel unsafe when confronted with a sexually objectifying gaze—but still choose to self-sexualize if the man is attractive or high status. The findings highlight a psychological tradeoff between risk and potential reward.

A new study challenges the idea that more beauty equals more influence. Researchers found that highly attractive fitness influencers often receive less engagement than moderately attractive ones—likely because their polished appearance makes them seem less relatable to their followers.

Physically attractive women tend to report greater interest in casual sex, but a new study finds that traditional moral values—especially those emphasizing social order and purity—can override this tendency, particularly among women with rural or conservative backgrounds.

Researchers have used eye-tracking to show that our gaze is not random when we evaluate bodies. A study in Behavioral Sciences found that attention is focused on the chest and torso, and this focus shifts when judging for attractiveness, health,...

Psychologists have discovered that sexual desire plays a key role in long-term partner preferences. When desire increases, women’s interest in physical attractiveness rises to match men's, reducing long-standing sex differences in what people look for in committed relationships.

How much do looks really matter when hiring someone or evaluating a coworker? A new study finds that people claim to prioritize charm and liveliness over physical beauty — but researchers suspect those answers may not reflect actual behavior.

Despite the popularity of full lips on social media, new research finds that people tend to favor more natural proportions. Lips with exaggerated volume were rated as unattractive, while balanced upper-to-lower lip ratios remained the most aesthetically preferred.

New research shows that women are more likely to accept offers from men with attractive faces and positive social interest in economic games, highlighting how appearance and perceived friendliness can influence fairness judgments in social decision-making.

What makes a man’s body attractive? A new international study explored this question using body scans and evolutionary models—testing which physical traits matter most. The results challenge some popular assumptions about leanness, muscle, and what people really prefer.

A new meta-analysis reveals that vulnerable narcissism is moderately linked to insecure attachment styles, particularly preoccupied and fearful types. The findings highlight how early emotional experiences may shape narcissistic traits and underscore the importance of supporting healthy childhood development.

New research across three countries suggests that people view attractive individuals, especially women, as more moral—but this effect disappears when liking is accounted for. The findings highlight how emotional responses shape moral character judgments more than appearance alone.