THE VISUAL PROCESS METHOD - A NEW METHOD TO STUDY PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS

The visual process method is a computer-aided procedure that allows fo r the recording of the viewing sequence, viewing time, and amount of i nformation used with respect to various face and body parts in judgmen ts of physical attractiveness. A study with 26 male and 44 female part icipants demonstrated the reliability and validity of the data gathere d with this method. In agreement with evolutionary psychology, feature s associated with the mate value of the individual-youthfulness, healt h, sexual maturity for female targets, and status and dominance for ma le targets-were looked at sooner and more often. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sci ence Inc.