Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 12 hrs ago
Women looked longer at attractive faces of both genders in eye-tracking study
Researchers at Utrecht University in the Netherlands used eye-tracking cameras to study 102 people looking at pairs of faces.
The faces varied in attractiveness and included men and women.
At first glance, participants showed no preference for either face.
After looking longer, women spent more time viewing attractive faces of both genders, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Men spent more time viewing attractive faces only when they matched the gender they were attracted to.
The researchers suggested that women may use attractiveness to assess potential partners and compare themselves with others.
Relationship status did not change these patterns, so people in committed relationships also showed interest in attractive faces.
An eye-tracking study found that women looked longer at attractive faces of both men and women, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Men looked longer only at attractive faces matching their sexual preference.
Researchers tested 102 members of the public using cameras that recorded where and for how long they looked.
The first glance showed no bias, but differences emerged when participants had more time to look.
Relationship status did not change either pattern.
- Who
- Researchers led by Tom Roth of Utrecht University studied 102 members of the public.
- What
- The study examined how long people looked at attractive faces of different genders.
- When
- The article was published on 11 October 2026; the study date is not stated.
- Where
- The study location is not stated. Roth is from Utrecht University in the Netherlands.
- Why
- Researchers said attractive faces may help women assess potential partners and compare themselves with rivals.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
It seems that for women, an attractive face is simply pleasant to look at, regardless of gender, while for men, it is really only their sexual preference that holds their eye.
It is a reminder that men and women may be, quite literally, looking at the concept of attractiveness differently.
Researchers used eye-tracking cameras to record where and for how long 102 participants looked at pairs of faces.
Analysis found that women looked longer at attractive faces of both genders, while men looked longer only at attractive faces matching their sexual preference.
- Participants
- 102 members of the public
- Research method
- Eye-tracking cameras
- Women’s looking pattern
- Looked longer at attractive faces of both genders
- Men’s looking pattern
- Looked longer at attractive faces matching their sexual preference
- Relationship status
- Made no difference to either pattern
Sources
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