Journal of Evolutionary Psychology
Volume/Issue:
Volume 10: Issue 4
The myth of hidden ovulation: Shape and texture changes in the face during the menstrual cycle
Authors:
E. Oberzaucher Department of Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

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S. Katina Department of Anthropology and Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia

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S. F. Schmehl Department of Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

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I. J. Holzleitner Department of Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

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I. Mehu-Blantar Department of Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

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K. Grammer Department of Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

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Pages:
163–175
Online Publication Date:
01 Dec 2012
Publication Date:
01 Dec 2012
Article Category:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1556/jep.10.2012.4.1
Keywords:
ovulation; facial attractiveness; symmetry; geometric morphometric methodology
Restricted access

Abstract

In recent years, evidence has been gathered indicating increased attractiveness of female faces at the point of ovulation. In this paper, we asked what changes in facial appearance occur during menstrual cycle that lead to this shift in attractiveness. We analysed facial photographs of 20 young women with a normal cycle. We found evidence for textural changes, as well as shape changes that might account for the ovulatory peak in attractiveness. Generally, facial shape at ovulation is perceived as more attractive — and ovulating women are perceived as more attractive the closer their face shape is to the “ovulation shape”. These findings support the hypothesis that attractive signals might be rooted in signals of fertility.

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Cover Journal of Evolutionary Psychology
Journal of Evolutionary Psychology
Print ISSN:
1789-2082
Online ISSN:
2060-5587

Journal of Evolutionary Psychology 
Language English
Size  
Year of
Foundation		 2007 (2003)
Publication
Programme		 changed title
Volumes
per Year		  
Issues
per Year		  
Founder Akadémiai Kiadó
Founder's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Publisher's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Responsible
Publisher		 Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 1789-2082 (Print)
ISSN 2060-5587 (Online)

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A Darwinian approach to meaning

A review of The Origins of Meaning: Language in the Light of Evolution by James R. Hurford. Oxford University Press (2007), 352 pages, Price: £21.00 ($37.32), ISBN: 0199207855 (hardback).

Author:
Martin Edwardes