There is a growing interest in the scientific community for the study of facial morphology. Now, a study developed by experts from the University of Nipissing in Ontario (Canada) and collected in the Archives of Sexual Behavior journal , concludes that the size and shape of the face can predict sexual desire and the probability of cheating on the partner .
The experts present their conclusions in two separate studies. In the first, they examined 145 college students of Caucasian descent (48% were men) who were in a heterosexual relationship at the time of the study. They completed various questionnaires about their sexual behavior and sexual desire, and photographs of their faces were taken. Measurements of the proportions of her face were also taken to obtain the FWHR ( high facial width-to-height ratio) index, a measure of the width and length of the face.
How is the FWHR index measured?
Width is measured across the widest part of the face, while face length is measured from the top of the eyebrows to the upper lip.
The second study was similar to the previous one but with a larger sample: 314 participants, in order to see if they could replicate the findings in a larger sample, adding to the mix questions about their sexual orientation, the possibilities of considering their unfaithful couples and socio-sexual orientation (personal inclination towards casual sex).
Both studies reached the same conclusion: men and women with a higher FWHR index (that is, with a wider, squarer and shorter face) had a higher libido or sexual desire than people with smaller and narrower faces . In addition, they were also more open to having casual sex and could consider being unfaithful to their respective partner, although the latter was only associated with the results in men , that is, men with wide and square faces may be more prone to infidelity and becoming more comfortable with the idea of keeping desire casual.
“Together, these findings suggest that facial features could convey important information about human sexual motivations,” says Steven Arnocky, leader of the study.
According to the authors, this is the first time that research has linked human FWHR to sexual desire and sexual psychology.
Although the study is purely observational and cannot explain causation, the researchers point to testosterone as a possible factor responsible for the results.
Study limitations
The population sample was quite limited ; They chose college students as study subjects on the assumption that sexual interest is highest in early adulthood, but this assumption is debatable. Second, the measure for infidelity was, according to the authors, quite restricted. Only two values from the questionnaire addressed this question. Finally, the researchers suggest that future research should explain other factors that can influence sexual behavior, such as conservative beliefs about sex or sexual passivity.
Reference: The Facial Width-to-Height Ratio Predicts Sex Drive, Sociosexuality, and Intended Infidelity. Archives of Sexual Behavior 2017
