Evidence from Meta-Analyses of the Facial Width-to-Height Ratio as an Evolved Cue of Threat.

ABSTRACT: The facial width-to-height ratio (FWHR) is the width of the face divided by the height of the upper face. There is mixed evidence for the hypothesis that the FWHR is a cue of threat and dominance in the human face. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses of all peer-reviewed studies (and 2 unpublished studies) to estimate the magnitude of the sex difference in the FWHR, and the magnitude of the relationship between the FWHR and threatening and dominant behaviours and perceptions. Studies were eligible for inclusion if the authors reported an analysis involving the FWHR. Our analyses revealed that the FWHR was larger in men than in women (d = .11, n = 10,853), cued judgements of masculinity in men (r = .35, n of faces = 487; n of observers = 339), and was related to body mass ind

SUBMITTER: Geniole SN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4504483 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature