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Facial Symmetry: Pretty Palindromes

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but if the beholder adheres to behavioral psychology, then they probably see beauty in symmetry. As numerous studies have shown, most people find symmetrical faces more attractive in comparison to asymmetrical ones. As to why people react this way, there are two schools of thought—one behavioral and another biological—that offer equally valid theories.

The Evolutionary Advantage theory proposes that symmetrical faces are more attractive because they appear to be healthier candidates for mating. After all, our genes tell the human body to develop symmetrically, and many diseases or harmful conditions can form asymmetrical features. This doesn’t only apply to humans. In one study, researchers found that peacocks with symmetrical tail feathers tended to be particularly healthy—and preferred by their potential mates.

The other hypothesis, Perceptual Bias, contends that symmetry is easier for the visual system to process than asymmetry. This assumes that the brain is hardwired to perceive all visual stimuli a certain way, so asymmetry makes the brain work harder to interpret a signal. Naturally, the brain is less likely to find a face pleasing as it’s shoveling extra coal into the cerebral cortex.