Perceptions of People: Cues to underlying Physiology and Psychology

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Editorial

08 April 2020

Editorial: Perceptions of People: Cues to Underlying Physiology and Psychology

Danielle Sulikowski

,

Kok Wei Tan

,

Alex L. Jones

,

Lisa L. M. Welling

and

Ian D. Stephen

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Editors

5

University of Reading Malaysia

Lisa L. M. Welling

Oakland University

Nottingham Trent University

Swansea University

Danielle Sulikowski

Charles Sturt University

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The Standard Social Science Model (SSSM) approach to human attractiveness and judgements based on appearance sees them as arbitrary, defined by culture, and imposed on individuals by societal norms. In recent decades, however, evolutionary psychologists have investigated attraction as a mechanism for identifying healthy, genetically fit, appropriate mates. Thus, attractiveness appears to reflect a preference for traits reflecting underlying health and fertility. Cues – whether they be facial appearance, bodily appearance, voice, odour, or other visual or behavioural cues – that are perceived as attractive are presumed to primarily be valid cues to health. Simultaneously, researchers have examined how people make judgements of others’ personality, based on scant information (including judgements based solely on physical appearance). Research is now turning to identifying the extent to which such judgements are accurate perceptions of the underlying physiology (health, fertility) or psychology of the individuals being judged, and the extent to which the cues being used to make these judgements represent valid cues.

This Research Topic is open to submissions from researchers investigating the mechanisms, accuracy, and consequences of judgements made of others’ appearance, personality and behaviour. Submission can consider the cues people use to make judgements of health, attractiveness or personality; whether these cues accurately reflect the underlying health, mate quality or personality of those being judged; or the social or sexual consequences of those judgements. Submissions may describe empirical studies, meta-analyses, or new techniques, or represent reviews or mini-reviews of emerging literature in the area.

The Standard Social Science Model (SSSM) approach to human attractiveness and judgements based on appearance sees them as arbitrary, defined by culture, and imposed on individuals by societal norms. In recent decades, however, evolutionary psychologists have investigated attraction as a mechanism for identifying healthy, genetically fit, appropriate mates. Thus, attractiveness appears to reflect a preference for traits reflecting underlying health and fertility. Cues – whether they be facial appearance, bodily appearance, voice, odour, or other visual or behavioural cues – that are perceived as attractive are presumed to primarily be valid cues to health. Simultaneously, researchers have examined how people make judgements of others’ personality, based on scant information (including judgements based solely on physical appearance). Research is now turning to identifying the extent to which such judgements are accurate perceptions of the underlying physiology (health, fertility) or psychology of the individuals being judged, and the extent to which the cues being used to make these judgements represent valid cues.

This Research Topic is open to submissions from researchers investigating the mechanisms, accuracy, and consequences of judgements made of others’ appearance, personality and behaviour. Submission can consider the cues people use to make judgements of health, attractiveness or personality; whether these cues accurately reflect the underlying health, mate quality or personality of those being judged; or the social or sexual consequences of those judgements. Submissions may describe empirical studies, meta-analyses, or new techniques, or represent reviews or mini-reviews of emerging literature in the area.

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Editors

University of Reading Malaysia

Lisa L. M. Welling

Oakland University

Nottingham Trent University

Swansea University

Danielle Sulikowski

Charles Sturt University

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470,262 Total views

440,528 Article views

24,973 Article downloads

4,761 Topic views

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Frontiers in Psychology

Evolutionary Psychology

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