The study examines misperceptions of facial attractiveness between genders, finding that women overestimate the femininity that men prefer in a partner, and men overestimate the masculinity that women desire. These discrepancies contribute to dissatisfaction with one’s appearance. Gender stereotypes influence body ideals, resulting in women desiring thinness and men desiring muscularity. The research uncovers the impact of misperceptions on body image and extends this to facial morphology preferences. Surprising findings show that these misperceptions may lead to unhealthy attitudes and behaviors. The study’s design and insights into mate preferences highlight the importance of understanding facial dimorphism in attraction and relationships.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0310835