Prototypes Are Attractive Because They Are Easy on the Mind
Winkielman, Halberstadt, Fazendeiro and Catty tested whether the preference for prototypical stimuli, called beauty in averageness, reflects fluent processing rather than a signal of mate value. In two experiments participants categorised and rated the attractiveness of random-dot patterns and geometric patterns that varied in prototypicality. Prototypicality predicted both categorisation speed and attractiveness, and speed mediated much of the effect, though some prototypicality effect remained. The result held when participants were not asked about category membership. In a third experiment facial muscle recordings showed quick positive reactions to abstract prototypes. Journal of record: Psychological Science 17(9), 799-806, 2006.
Winkielman, Halberstadt, Fazendeiro and Catty tested whether the preference for prototypical stimuli, called beauty in averageness, reflects fluent processing rather than a signal of mate value. In two experiments participants categorised and rated the attractiveness of random-dot patterns and geometric patterns that varied in prototypicality. Prototypicality predicted both categorisation speed and attractiveness, and speed mediated much of the effect, though some prototypicality effect remained. The result held when participants were not asked about category membership. In a third experiment facial muscle recordings showed quick positive reactions to abstract prototypes. Journal of record: Psychological Science 17(9), 799-806, 2006.
Written from the abstract, OpenAlex record, 2026-11-03; citation details from Crossref, 2026-11-03.
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Winkielman, P., Halberstadt, J., Fazendeiro, T., & Catty, S. (2006). Prototypes Are Attractive Because They Are Easy on the Mind. Psychological Science, 17(9), 799-806. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2006.01785.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2006.01785.x