Love at first sight? : Oedipal vesus Narcissistic standards of face attractiveness

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to assess whether people’s preference in face attractiveness could be influenced by exposure to either the opposite sex parent’s face (Oedipal standard) or their own face (Narcissistic standard). We examined this issue through the use of computerized image manipulations of facial photographs of Self, mother and father. The original photographs were combined with the participants’ opposite sex prototype face, creating morphs and hybrids so as to probe a sense of attractiveness that may be occurring below the level of consciousness. Participants’ pupil responses were recorded during viewing of either single morphs or hybrids (showing blends of prototype faces with images of the face of Self, mother, father or just the prototype), and attractiveness ratings were obtained. Analysis of attractiveness ratings revealed a clear preference amongst the female participants towards Narcissism (i.e., images containing Self’s face) in the morphed condition and a tendency towards preferring hybrids with the opposite sex parent face. Amongst the male participants there were no significant differences, though they also showed a general tendency towards Narcissism. Taken together these results suggests that people find self-resembling faces more attractive than faces resembling their opposite sex parent. Contrary to our predictions, analysis of pupil responses revealed no differences between viewing Self, mother, or father (family) or Self, mother, or father (other).