Springer Ingo N, Wannicke Bjorn, Warnke Patrick H, Zernial Oliver, Wiltfang Jorg, Russo Paul A J, Terheyden Hendrik, Reinhardt Andreas, Wolfart Stefan
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial and Facial Plastic Surgery, University of Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 16, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
Ann Plast Surg. 2007 Aug;59(2):156-62. doi: 10.1097/01.sap.0000252041.66540.ec.
Symmetry is thought to be a major prerequisite for an attractive face. Many faces are not symmetric, yet are still regarded as beautiful. What role, then, does asymmetry play in the perception of beauty? We studied the assessment of computer-manipulated images by independent judges (n = 200-250): part A: nevi located at different positions; part B: standardized changes of the orbital region. The results showed that slight lateral orbital and facial asymmetry does not impair attractiveness at all and that asymmetries close to the midline are significantly less attractive than those affecting the lateral aspect of the face (P < 0.001). A single nevus which is located laterally on the face is significantly more attractive than a nevus close to the midline (P < 0.001). Faces with a completely symmetric bilateral pair of nevi in the same lateral positions (perceived as attractive when alone), received the worst ratings (P < 0.001). Symmetry is a characteristic of the attractive face, but there are exceptions to the rule. Under certain conditions symmetry can be completely unattractive. The visual impact of symmetry on the perception of beauty increases significantly when approaching the midline.
对称性被认为是具有吸引力的面部的一个主要先决条件。许多面部并非对称，但仍被视为美丽。那么，不对称性在美感认知中扮演着什么角色呢？我们研究了独立评委（n = 200 - 250）对计算机处理图像的评估：A部分：位于不同位置的痣；B部分：眼眶区域的标准化变化。结果表明，轻微的眼眶外侧和面部不对称根本不会损害吸引力，而且靠近中线的不对称比影响面部外侧的不对称明显缺乏吸引力（P < 0.001）。位于面部外侧的单个痣比靠近中线的痣明显更具吸引力（P < 0.001）。在相同外侧位置有完全对称的双侧痣对的面部（单独时被视为有吸引力），得到的评分最差（P < 0.001）。对称性是有吸引力的面部的一个特征，但也有例外情况。在某些情况下，对称性可能完全没有吸引力。当接近中线时，对称性对美感认知的视觉影响会显著增加。
