The effect of the golden ratio in facial anatomy on beauty perception

Objectives: This study explores the influence of the golden ratio on aesthetic perception, focusing on facial features such as the nasal index, nasooral ratio, and upper-to-lower lip thickness ratio. The aim is to identify patterns in individuals’ aesthetic preferences and examine correlations with demographic factors such as gender, educational background, and interest in visual arts. Methods: Facial images, both digitally altered and hand-drawn, were manipulated to create variations in anthropometric measurements. A questionnaire featuring these images was distributed among adults in various social settings. Statistical analyses included chi-squared tests to compare aesthetic preferences across demographic groups and correlation coefficients to assess the relationships between binary aesthetic choices and demographic factors. Results: Significant differences in aesthetic preferences were found based on respondents’ educational background and interest in visual arts. Males exhibited a stronger preference for golden ratio proportions in nasal and nasooral features, while females demonstrated more variable preferences depending on the specific facial feature. Higher education levels and greater interest in visual arts were consistently associated with a stronger inclination towards selecting golden ratio proportions. Conclusion: Education and exposure to the arts significantly influence aesthetic preferences, highlighting the impact of social factors on beauty perception. The use of digitally manipulated and hand-drawn images provided a controlled setting for testing the golden ratio and other proportions, ensuring consistency in the study. Future research incorporating real-life images may further enhance our understanding of the mechanisms behind aesthetic perception.