London - They are the envy of men and women the world over.
But the likes of George Clooney and Natalie Portman aren’t that perfect after all. Beauty, it seems, is only skin deep...
Researchers found that those with symmetrical facial features, regarded by many as the more attractive, are significantly more selfish than us “mere mortals”.
They were less likely to co-operate in pursuit of the greater good and more likely to feather their own nests.
In part of the study, participants could choose to be a “dove”, co-operating with others for shared benefit, or take on the role of a “hawk”. As “hawks” they would gain more if the other participant chose to be a “dove”.
Scientists then analysed their faces and found those with more symmetrical facial features were more inclined to be hawks.
“As people with symmetrical faces tend to be healthier and more attractive, they are also more self-sufficient and have less of an incentive to co-operate and seek help from others,” the study reported.
The team also examined the facial features of 292 people aged 83 who took part in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1921, a study that has followed the participants throughout their life.
They analysed 15 facial “landmarks” and found that those with asymmetrical faces were less healthy and more likely to have had deprived childhoods.
A lack of nutrition, illness, exposure to cigarette smoke and pollution, all left their mark. Deep lines across their faces and weather-beaten skin were instant giveaways about their hard lives.
But whilst there was a strong link between social class and facial symmetry in men, the connection in women was less clear. Professor Ian Deary, from the department of psychology at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Cognitive Ageing, said: “Facial symmetry is a marker of developmental stability: the body’s ability to withstand environmental stressors and not be knocked off its developmental path.
“The results indicated that it is deprivation in early life that leaves some impression on the face.” - Daily Mail