Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder? Shared Environment Plays A Part

Is beauty really in the eye of the beholder?

A new study published in the journal Current Biology examines research published on twins that shows how differences of opinion regarding attractiveness are dependent on personal experiences that are unique to the individual.

While some aspects of attractiveness are rather universal, including facial symmetry, many really do have "types." In this study, researchers found that even between two-genetically similar individuals, they did not necessarily share the same ideas about beauty.

This recent study analyzed the facial preferences of over 35,000 volunteers who participated in a test given by researchers Laura Germine of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University and Jeremy Wilmer of Wellesley College via the website, Test My Brain. Based on the first test results, researchers developed a second test to examine individual face preferences, applying the information to over 547 pairs of identical twins and 214 pairs of fraternal twins of the same gender. Researchers then asked them to grade the attractiveness of 200 faces, rating them on a scale of one to seven, with one being the least attractive and seven the most attractive. A group of 660 non-twins then completed the same survey. The comparisons between both identical and non-identical twins helped researchers determine how much of an influence environment played over genes when it came to perceived facial features.

The study results revealed that most twin-scores were quite different, showing that each individual's idea of attractiveness is based on personal experience and not genes. Researchers believe that shared environments over individual environments most likely play a role in what determines attractiveness. However, the study population was also not incredibly diverse.

"The types of environments that are important are not those that are shared by those who grow up in the same family, but are much more subtle and individual," concluded Germine, in a news release. She added how unique experiences that may include friends and even social media make up a critical of what we find attractive.

The study results touch on earlier works completed by the same team, showing how the ability to recognize facial features is largely a genetic trait. You can be a part of this ongoing research, too. Complete the survey now at www.TestMyBrain.org.

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