Attractiveness in Asian faces: Effects of race, gender, and ethnic identity

Asian Americans and perceptions of physical attractiveness are rarely addressed in empirical psychological research. The purpose of the present study was to investigate how rater race (Asian or White), gender, and ethnic identity level would be related to physical attractiveness ratings of Asian faces of varying gender and attractiveness. Undergraduates (N = 90; 60 Asian American; 30 White American) at midwestern universities completed written ratings of their perceptions of the attractiveness of 24 Asian faces (12 male, 12 female). A majority of participants made ratings based on their own personal preferences; a subset of Asian American participants made ratings based on their beliefs of how Whites would rate photographs. All participants answered questions to measure their ethnic identity. Results indicated that Asians and Whites tended to evaluate photographs similarly in terms of attractiveness ratings. Asians asked about their beliefs regarding Whites\u27 perceptions indicated that they believed Whites\u27 ratings would be more extreme than Whites\u27 ratings actually were. Results are discussed in terms of how expectations might influence perceptions of attractiveness for Asian Americans. Directions for future study are suggested, especially regarding further research needed to explore the possible mechanisms for Asian Americans\u27 beliefs about perceived White bias