Association between self-reported and third-party rated attractiveness in body odour
Thu-S3-004
Presented by: Lucie Kuncová
Human mate choice is driven by various characteristics including body odour attractiveness. The estimation of own attractiveness modulates one’s self-perceived mate value and consequently mate choice. Previous studies tested self-assessment of various characteristics such as facial attractiveness, but similar data on body odour attractiveness is missing.
We focused on the association between self-reported and third-party rated body odour attractiveness (BOA) in women and men. We included data from nine different studies. In total, the body odour samples were provided by 277 men and 249 women. Participants also reported the estimation of their BOA, body hair density and perspiration intensity on a 7-point Likert scale. Each sample was evaluated at least by 14 raters (105 men and 965 women in total) for attractiveness. The results showed a significant correlation between self-reported and third-party rated BOA in women (r = 0.22), but not in men (r = 0.09). Interestingly, self-reported BOA was negatively modulated by the self-reported perspiration intensity, but it did not influence the third-party ratings of BOA. Both men and women tended to overestimate their BOA.
Our results are in line with previous studies in other modalities which reported correlation between the self and third-party rated attractiveness around r = 0.2. However, we found a significant association only in women. This could be due to the better olfactory abilities in women or higher social pressure on women’s physical attractiveness. Further, we found a tendency for overestimation of self-reported BOA both in men and women. The overestimation could serve as a self-protective mechanism for one’s well-being.
LK is supported by the START grant (no. START/SOC/064, MŠMT).
We focused on the association between self-reported and third-party rated body odour attractiveness (BOA) in women and men. We included data from nine different studies. In total, the body odour samples were provided by 277 men and 249 women. Participants also reported the estimation of their BOA, body hair density and perspiration intensity on a 7-point Likert scale. Each sample was evaluated at least by 14 raters (105 men and 965 women in total) for attractiveness. The results showed a significant correlation between self-reported and third-party rated BOA in women (r = 0.22), but not in men (r = 0.09). Interestingly, self-reported BOA was negatively modulated by the self-reported perspiration intensity, but it did not influence the third-party ratings of BOA. Both men and women tended to overestimate their BOA.
Our results are in line with previous studies in other modalities which reported correlation between the self and third-party rated attractiveness around r = 0.2. However, we found a significant association only in women. This could be due to the better olfactory abilities in women or higher social pressure on women’s physical attractiveness. Further, we found a tendency for overestimation of self-reported BOA both in men and women. The overestimation could serve as a self-protective mechanism for one’s well-being.
LK is supported by the START grant (no. START/SOC/064, MŠMT).