Science often comes up with the hard facts that back up the assertions we hear all the time in pop culture, stuff like “Love is a drug,” “It’s in his kiss,” and now the idea of gaydar. Do some people have the ability to tell if someone is gay just by looking at them in the absence of speech, affectations or a “God made me gay” t-shirt?
Well, it turns out that most people can. Science Daily reports that researchers at Albright College in Reading, PA have discovered a connection between sexual orientation and facial symmetry and proportions –and our ability to guess sexual orientation by facial symmetry and proportions.
Self-identified heterosexuals, the story says, have more symmetrical features than homosexuals. Forty study participants looked at 60 photographs,15 pics each of straight men, straight women, gay men and lesbians.
Dr. Susan Hughes, an evolutionary psychologist, said the team found “that the more likely raters perceived males as being attracted to women (i.e. holding more of a heterosexual orientaiton), the more symmetrical the males’ facial features were.” The study also found that straight men were more likely to have more masculine features, but facial symmetry played a larger role in assessing sexual orientation.
Hughes also said that “gaydar” could be an adaptive trait because “in mate selection and romance it’s crucial to recognize [others’ sexual orientation].”
Could it be then that lack of interest in reproducing is why some people –and by “some people” we mean us– are forever crushing on the gays? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
Well, it turns out that most people can. Science Daily reports that researchers at Albright College in Reading, PA have discovered a connection between sexual orientation and facial symmetry and proportions –and our ability to guess sexual orientation by facial symmetry and proportions.
Self-identified heterosexuals, the story says, have more symmetrical features than homosexuals. Forty study participants looked at 60 photographs,15 pics each of straight men, straight women, gay men and lesbians.
Dr. Susan Hughes, an evolutionary psychologist, said the team found “that the more likely raters perceived males as being attracted to women (i.e. holding more of a heterosexual orientaiton), the more symmetrical the males’ facial features were.” The study also found that straight men were more likely to have more masculine features, but facial symmetry played a larger role in assessing sexual orientation.
Hughes also said that “gaydar” could be an adaptive trait because “in mate selection and romance it’s crucial to recognize [others’ sexual orientation].”
Could it be then that lack of interest in reproducing is why some people –and by “some people” we mean us– are forever crushing on the gays? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
