Facial Cues to Physical Strength in Tuvans

This experimental study presents a comprehensive analysis of men’s and women’s facial traits signaling physical strength. The study was conducted among the Tuvans, in the populations from the southern and south-western regions of the Tuva republic. At the first stage of the study, we have identified the male and female facial traits which are objectively related to physical strength. According to the results of geometric and morphometric analysis, facial shape was associated with physical strength in both men (p <0.00) and women (p <0.00). Moreover, the facial areas associated with physical strength have a similar shape in men and women. In order to assess the ability of the Tuvans to recognize physical strength via facial images, we created portraits of men and women morphed according to the physical strength criterion and presented them for evaluation. The evaluators were Mangun-Taiga Tuvans of both sexes. The results showed that raters of the same origin, Mongun-Taiga Tuvans of both sexes, regardless of age, accurately recognize physical strength through men’s, but not women’s, portraits. The results obtained are discussed from the perspective of evolutionary theory.

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