Waist-to-hip ratio and female attractiveness. Evidence from photographic stimuli and methodological considerations

There are a large number of empirical studies supporting the evolutionary psychological prediction that the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is an important attribute of female attractiveness. In contrast to previous research, which is almost exclusively based on line drawings, the present study used color photographs as stimuli. For each of six attractive females there were the original photographs and two digitally manipulated pictures, one depicting a lower and one depicting a higher WHR. In a between subjects design the pictures were rated by 180 males and 180 females. The ratings were done on 108 scales covering a broad range of personality factors. A factor analysis of these scales yielded seven factors. Only one of these factors was significantly affected by the WHR manipulation, namely Attractiveness. In accordance with evolutionary psychological expectations, a lower ratio was more attractive than a higher one. In addition to the empirical findings, some methodological issues are discussed. It is argued that, compared with face research, research on the human figure is in a poor state. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.