Abstract
Kin recognition is an essential component of kin-directed adaptive behavior. Consequently, potential mechanisms of kin recognition, such as learning a kin phenotype from family members (familial imprinting) or self (self-referential phenotype matching), have been the focus of much research. Studies using computer-manipulated self-resemblance show effects for both same-sex and opposite-sex faces and have been interpreted as evidence for self-referential phenotype matching. However, more recent research on sex-contingent face processing suggests that visual experience with faces of one sex has little influence on perceptions of faces of the other sex, calling into question how self-referential phenotype matching can influence perceptions of opposite-sex faces. Because children resemble their parents, familial imprinting could influence preferences for self-resemblance, reconciling these seemingly incompatible results for sex-contingent face processing and effects of self-resemblance on perceptions of opposite-sex faces. Here we show that women's reported emotional closeness to their father, but not mother, is positively correlated with their preferences for self-resemblance in opposite-sex, but not same-sex, individuals. These findings implicate familial imprinting in preferences for self-resemblance in opposite-sex individuals and raise the possibility that familial imprinting and self-referential phenotype matching have context-specific effects on attitudes to self-resembling individuals. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 70-75 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Evolution and Human Behavior |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2011 |
Keywords
- kin recognition
- self-resemblance
- faces
- familial imprinting
- phenotype matching
- sex-contingent face processing
- inclusive fitness
- optimal outbreeding
- facial resemblance
- mate choice
- female faces
- parents
- attractiveness
- perception
- similarity
- judgments
- distinct