How Sexual Selection Influences Human Facial Features
Author Information
Author(s): Eleanor M. Weston, Adrian E. Friday, Pietro Liò
Primary Institution: University College London
Hypothesis
Sex differences in human facial morphology are influenced by developmental changes rather than just body size.
Conclusion
The study finds that sexual dimorphism in human faces is linked to developmental changes occurring at puberty, which are not solely explained by body size differences.
Supporting Evidence
- Sexual dimorphism in facial size is evident at approximately 14 years of age.
- Facial variation can mask other distinctions between male and female faces.
- Most trait relationships comply with a model of ontogenetic scaling, but some do not.
Takeaway
Boys and girls grow differently during puberty, which makes their faces look different, and this difference can help us understand how humans evolved.
Methodology
The study analyzed facial and basicranial skeleton dimensions from a cross-sectional series of skulls of a Southern African population.
Limitations
The study is limited to a specific population and may not generalize to all human populations.
Participant Demographics
68 male and 53 female dry skulls from a Southern African population.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p≤0.001
Confidence Interval
95%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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