Sex-specific variation in facial masculinity/femininity associated with autistic traits in the general population

Diana Weiting Tan; Murray T Maybery; Louise Ewing; Jia-Xin Tay; Peter R Eastwood; Andrew J O Whitehouse

doi:10.1111/bjop.12436

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Sex-specific variation in facial masculinity/femininity associated with autistic traits in the general population

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Sex-specific variation in facial masculinity/femininity associated with autistic traits in the general population

Diana Weiting Tan, Murray T Maybery, Louise Ewing, Jia-Xin Tay, Peter R Eastwood and Andrew J O Whitehouse

The British journal of psychology, Vol.111(4), pp.723-741

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.12436

PMID: 31802492

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Abstract

Reports linking prenatal testosterone exposure to autistic traits and to a masculinized face structure have motivated research investigating whether autism is associated with facial masculinization. This association has been reported with greater consistency for females than for males, in studies comparing groups with high and low levels of autistic traits. In the present study, we conducted two experiments to examine facial masculinity/femininity in 151 neurotypical adults selected for either low, mid-range, or high levels of autistic traits. In the first experiment, their three-dimensional facial photographs were subjectively rated by 41 raters for masculinity/femininity and were objectively analysed. In the second experiment, we generated 6-face composite images, which were rated by another 36 raters. Across both experiments, findings were consistent for ratings of photographs and composite images. For females, a linear relationship was observed where femininity ratings decreased as a function of higher levels of autistic traits. For males, we found a U-shaped function where males with mid-range levels of traits were rated lowest on masculinity. Objective facial analyses revealed that higher levels of autistic traits were associated with less feminine facial structures in females and less masculine structures in males. These results suggest sex-specific relationships between autistic traits and facial masculinity/femininity.

Details

Title: Sex-specific variation in facial masculinity/femininity associated with autistic traits in the general population
Authors/Creators: Diana Weiting Tan - The University of Western Australia
Murray T Maybery - The University of Western Australia
Louise Ewing - The University of Western Australia
Jia-Xin Tay - The University of Western Australia
Peter R Eastwood - The University of Western Australia
Andrew J O Whitehouse - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Publication Details: The British journal of psychology, Vol.111(4), pp.723-741
Grant note: APP1077966 / National Health and Medical Research Council International Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Australia
Identifiers: 991005591570607891
Copyright: © 2019 The British Psychological Society
Murdoch Affiliation: Vice Chancellery
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.136 Autism & Development Disorders; 1.136.283 Autism Spectrum Disorders
Web Of Science research areas: Psychology, Multidisciplinary
ESI research areas: Psychiatry/Psychology