Cross-racial attractiveness, social desirability and culpability

Symmetry and averageness is a marker of phenotypic and genetic quality that is preferred during mate selection. Attractiveness has been shown to influence how we perceive others. However, studies of attractiveness have generally examined the perception of Caucasian targets: few studies have examined inner-ethic perceptions of attractiveness and attributions of personality traits. No data are available for perceptions of Caucasians and Aboriginals of each other. Caucasian and Aboriginal persons viewed one of four photographs (Caucasian or Aboriginal, attractive or unattractive) and rated it for attractiveness, social desirability and culpability in a court room scenario. There are differences, particularly in the way we view less-attractive targets.