The dimples of Venus: an adaptive morphological trait of physical attractiveness

Abstract

This thesis documents a series of studies investigating the Dimples of Venus (DOV) as a physically attractive fitness-relevant cue in mating contexts. Judgments of attractiveness across four studies were measured through forced-choice tasks and ratings of attractiveness. Cross-cultural data was attained between The United States of America and Turkey. Results indicate that men consistently prefer the DOV on women whereas women hold a weaker preference for the DOV on men. The sexdifferentiated preference may be linked to pregnancy fitness-benefits in women since the DOV are linked to underlying biological structures related to spinal health and stability for carrying heavy loads, such as offspring.