Resource availability and experiences of partner violence shape facial masculinity preferences in women

Resumen

Women’s preferences for facial masculinity in men are influenced by individual and socio-contextual factors that allow them to balance costs-benefits in pursuit of their well-being. This study examined how Colombian women’s preferences for masculinized male faces are influenced by relationship context and resource availability, as well as their individual experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV). We used a forced-choice paradigm with eye-tracking technology to assess visual attention and face choice in 293 cisgender heterosexual women. Participants were randomly assigned to either a high or low resource availability condition and asked to choose a preferred partner for short- and long-term relationships. We also collected self-reported experiences of IPV. The findings revealed a strong preference for masculinized faces in both short- and long-term relationships, with a greater preference observed in long-term contexts and under low resource availability. However, women who reported higher levels of physical IPV showed a reduced preference for masculinity, particularly in long-term relationships and in contexts of high resource availability. These results suggest that while Colombian women generally exhibit strong preferences for masculine traits, socio-contextual factors, such as resource availability and experiences of IPV, significantly modulate these preferences. The study highlights the complex interplay between individual, evolutionary, and socio-ecological factors in shaping mate preferences, supporting the idea that masculinity is valued differently based on relationship goals, resource conditions, and individual experiences such as intimate partner violence.

Milena Vásquez-Amézquita

Profesora Asociada / Co-supervisión PhD 2015-2018 / Supervisión Postdoc 2021-2022

Profesora Asociada e investigadora en Neurociencia de la Universidad El Bosque. Interesada en investigación sobre los mecanismos cognitivos que subyacen a los trastornos del estado de ánimo y la conducta sexual.

Andrés Castellanos-Chacón

Asistente de Investigación desde 2019 / Supervisión de enseñanza desde 2019 / Psicología | supervisión 2017-2018

Asistente de investigación en el Laboratorio de Evolución y Comportamiento Humano desde 2019, y practicante de investigación entre 2017 y 2018.

Juan David Leongómez

Profesor Asociado

Mis intereses de investigación incluyen los procesos de selección de pareja y la comunicación vocal en humanos, con una aspiración hacia la comprensión de la musicalidad. También estoy interesado en bioacústica y psicoacústica, así como en estadística y programación en .