This study will only look at two (of many) facial characteristics being symmetry and sexual dimorphism. It will also take a deeper look at female perceptions of these characteristics in relation to social competence. Thus, our hypothesis is that females w

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Introduction

Hatfied and Sperecher once wrote that "people believe good looking people possess almost all the virtues known to mankind". This depicts the link between the existence of a stereotype whereby physically attractive people are believed to possess a variety of personal qualities. The vast research in this area has elevated the theory of 'What is beautiful is good' as well as linking these "good" personality traits to life outcomes such as marital happiness and career success (Eagly et al., 1991). Perceived attractiveness enlists the benefits of the 'halo' effect (Dion, Berscheid & Walster, 1972) and also activates the "what is good stereotype". However, it has been argued that this relationship is not just stereotypical. There appears to be a strong reciprocal relationship between attractiveness and skill such that attractive individuals possess better social skills than less attractive people (Chaiken, 1979).

An experimental paradigm introduced by Dion et al (1972) suggested that the beauty is good effect was strongest for measures of social competence and interpersonal ease. Social competence in this case was concerned with interpersonal skills and traits such as extraversion which is concerned with sociability. In two meta-analysis reviews (Eagly et al, 1991; Feingold, 1992) of