Male facial cues to physical strength in Europe: Medium-strength preference and higher aggressiveness attribution to the weakest

Objectives: The capacity to assess male physical strength from facial cues may
be adaptive given health and fitness-related associations with muscular
strength. Our study complements recent research on strength-related face perceptions of male Maasai by applying the protocol to male European faces and
assessors.
Methods: Five distinct facial morphs calibrated for handgrip strength (HGS)
were manufactured with geometric morphometrics performing regressions of
the Procrustes shape coordinates on HGS in a sample of 26 European men
(18–32 years). Young adult men and women (n = 445) rated these morphs on
physical strength, attractiveness, and aggressiveness.
Results: Facial morphs calibrated to lower HGS were rated as less strong, less
attractive, and more aggressive than those calibrated to higher HGS. Medium
levels of HGS were associated with the highest attractiveness ratings.
Conclusions: The rating patterns of physical strength, attractiveness, and
aggressiveness for European male facial morphs exhibit similarity to previous
ratings of Maasai male faces. Therefore, the current findings corroborate the
suggestion of a common mechanism for social attributions based on facial cues
to physical strength, modulated by local ecology and societal context.