14 Apr 2008
Facial Attraction
Your Gaze is "Key" to how attractive others find you"A study of hundreds of volunteers at Stirling and Aberdeen Universities found that averting the eyes even a fraction can make you appear less attractive. Apparently the direction of gaze plays a role in attraction alongside a symmetrical face or healthy skin.
The study used pictures of male and female faces which had been subtly, digitally manipulated. In one picture, a woman might be looking straight at the camera, while in the next, a tiny adjustment meant she would be looking marginally to the left or right.
The difference was so small that it was not immediately obvious to the viewer. However, after these pictures were shown to 460 men and women, who were asked to rate them for "attractiveness", it became clear that it was having a pronounced subliminal effect.
In some pictures, there was an eight-fold difference in ratings between the "straight to camera" and averted gazes. While many studies have found links between face shape, expression and other physical "cues" to attraction, this is one of the first to look in more detail at the direction of gaze." *
Communication Skills Consultant, John Mabberley, comments:
“How we use our eyes is an important topic when talking about Body Language. This study certainly reinforces that importance. For instance, our eyes reflect our emotions so a true smile will be formed not just with our mouth but also with our eyes. And when we speak at our best we use emotional language such as when talking to family and close friends. When this happens we use our face - and in particular our eyes and eyebrows - to help understanding.”
John has been called in by Clients to teach the secrets of Body Language in the UK and across the world. You’re able to learn those secrets on our Essential Communication Skills and Presentation Skills courses. Visit our Presentation Skills pages then contact Tina @ Working Voices.
(Image ©iStockphoto.com/Eric Hood)
(* Story ©BBC News)