Covariation between formidability inferences and perceptions of men's preferred humor styles

Individuals infer men's formidability through various facial and bodily features. Such inferences covary with perceptions of personalities motivational states, potentially informing subsequent affiliative decisions. Within these could be an implicit understanding preferred humor styles. Across four studies, this research considered proclivity to employ styles different cues: upper body strength (Study 1), muscularity 2), width-to-height ratio 3), neck musculature 4). A relatively consistent perception emerged formidable men as more likely use aggressive humor. Conversely, absence cues elicited increased likelihood self-defeating We interpret results from evolutionary perspective for how individuals can identify behavioral strategies morphological