Yes, the evidence suggests that even very young infants show a preference for attractive faces.
Infant Preference for Attractive Faces
Research indicates that the preference for attractive faces isn't unique to adults; even infants display this tendency. According to studies, infants show a visual preference for faces considered attractive over those deemed less attractive. This suggests that the attraction to pretty faces is an early, possibly innate, trait.
Evidence of Attractiveness Preference in Infants
A study involving infants demonstrated that they don't only show preference for attractive human faces but for attractive faces of other species as well.
- Specific Finding: The study stated that, “16 of the 20 infants displayed individual preference scores for the attractive faces above 50%” suggesting that infants generally preferred the attractive faces.
- Species generalization The research also revealed that, “young infants will display an attractiveness preference for faces from a species other than humans.”
Summary of Findings
The data supports the idea that attraction to pretty faces is not just a learned behavior but may be a fundamental aspect of visual perception that begins very early in life.
| Finding | Detail |
|---|---|
| Infant Preference | Infants show a preference for faces considered attractive. |
| Species Generalization | This preference extends to faces of species other than humans. |
| Early Development | Suggests an innate rather than learned behavior. |
