Join our Voices Dispatches email to receive a complete summary of the top opinions from the week.
Please register for our complimentary Voices newsletter, which is sent out every week.
Researchers have disproved the notion that the “beer goggles” phenomenon occurs because individuals perceive others as more appealing due to their facial symmetry.
A group of individuals from the University of Portsmouth surveyed 99 pub-goers in the city of Hampshire to examine the impact of alcohol on individuals’ perception of attractiveness.
A representative stated that the phrase “beer goggles” has been in use for many years to describe the phenomenon where a person becomes sexually interested in someone while under the influence of alcohol, but not when sober.
”
An explanation for the observed effect could be that alcohol hinders the drinker’s capability to perceive facial asymmetry, potentially leading to increased attractiveness of potential partners.
Prior studies have demonstrated that one aspect of attractiveness is the symmetry of an individual’s face.
According to this belief, having more symmetry in the gene pool is considered desirable. However, with the presence of alcohol, it is believed that individuals are less likely to notice if the faces of those around them are not symmetrical.
A recent study discovered that alcohol did hinder the ability to detect facial symmetry, but it had no impact on judging facial attractiveness.
According to Dr Alistair Harvey from the psychology department at the university, alcohol is a significant factor in predicting sexual behavior and is frequently consumed before or during dates.
”
Possible explanations for why individuals who consume alcohol may be more likely to participate in sexual activity include reduced inhibitions, heightened anticipation, personal characteristics, and the impact of alcohol on perception.
“We conducted a field experiment to investigate the reasons behind individuals frequently encountering unplanned and regretful sexual encounters after excessive alcohol consumption, given the limited existing research on this subject.”
The study participants, ranging in age from 18 to 62, were instructed to evaluate 18 different faces based on their perceived level of attractiveness and symmetry.
While we acknowledge the presence of a “beer goggles” phenomenon, we believe it would be more readily identifiable through the use of real-life models in an experimental setting, rather than through still photographs.
Two ratings were given for each type, one for faces with an increased asymmetry and another for the same faces in their original form.
The study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology involved participants who were asked to determine which of two versions of the same face (one normal and the other perfectly symmetrized) was more appealing. In the final task, they were also asked to identify which version was more symmetrical.
The scientists discovered that people who were heavily intoxicated had a harder time differentiating between natural faces and perfectly symmetrical ones compared to those who were less drunk.
However, it was discovered that individuals who were more intoxicated did not perceive the faces to be more attractive in their ratings.
The study also revealed that both men and women found natural faces more appealing than those that were manipulated to appear asymmetrical. This preference was more pronounced among female participants.
Dr. Harvey suggested that the results may be attributed to various factors, rather than solely the minor impacts of facial symmetry.
He stated that while they do not reject the concept of a “beer goggles” effect, they believe it would be more readily identifiable through the use of live models in an experiment rather than still photographs.
Pictures hide many significant aspects that contribute to attractiveness, such as physique, body proportions, height, facial expression, and attire.
Hence, additional investigation is necessary to uncover the elusive answer to the problem.
The Independent is a British online newspaper.
The Independent is a digital newspaper from Britain.
