Perceptions of men’s faces – a survey by our researchers
The Department of Human Biology is carrying out another project under the direction of prof. Bogusław Pawłowski, focusing on the signalling significance of traits linked to male sex hormone levels. This time, however, the study group consists of men aged 50 and over. To collect the data required for the project funded by the National Science Centre (OPUS21) – “Kondycja biologiczna mężczyzn w średnim wieku jako wskaźnik zdolności organizmu do poniesienia fizjologicznych kosztów maskulinizacji” – a questionnaire has been prepared for people aged 18+, containing several questions concerning assessments of presented male faces.
Survey – perceptions of men’s faces
Some biological hypotheses assume that traits commonly perceived as physically attractive in men and associated with testosterone levels may serve as indicators of better health, stronger immunity, fertility, or overall physiological fitness. High concentrations of testosterone are thought to be a burden on the body, as they may weaken immunity and increase the production of free radicals. Thus, men with high testosterone levels (and the traits developed under its influence during puberty – e.g. broad shoulders, muscular build, wide jaw, facial hair) either possess above-average biological condition that allows them to bear this cost, or else they may face health consequences later in life.
According to some studies, men whose faces are rated as more attractive and more masculinised also show stronger immunity (for example, better responses to vaccination, lower susceptibility to illness) and better semen quality. However, many other studies do not show any consistent link between facial or bodily attractiveness and health status. This may be because most research to date has focused on young men (aged 20–40), who at a relatively young age may be able to sustain high testosterone levels and temporarily bear the biological costs without a noticeable decline in health.
We assume, however, that the cumulative (long-term) effects of testosterone exposure – and its negative impact on the body – may only become apparent at a later age. For this reason, our current study is the first of its kind to focus on men aged 50–60.
In addition to present levels of facial (and bodily) masculinisation and attractiveness, we have also collected data on levels of masculinisation in youth, current hormone levels, and a variety of health and fitness indicators. The ongoing project seeks to identify links between perceived attractiveness, perceived masculinisation, and perceived age of men, and the physiological markers of their health and fertility.
If you would like to contribute to the advancement of science and help us gather the necessary data, we invite you to complete a short survey. The questionnaire contains a few questions about the respondent, along with several photographs of men’s faces. For each photograph, we ask, for example: How attractive do you find this face? How old do you think the man looks? Both women and men are welcome to participate, though the researchers are particularly keen to gather women’s assessments.
Added by: S.F.
Date of publication: 6.08.2025
