In the discussion of the '5 dumbest things you do when you are drunk,' the biological reason given for hooking up with an unattractive person is that:

• A. Alcohol interferes with measuring facial symmetry
• B. Alcohol interferes with your ability to see clearly
• C. Alcohol lowers inhibitions
• D. Alcohol increases your libido

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that alcohol can distort how we judge a potential partner by dulling our ability to correctly assess facial cues that signal health and genetic quality, especially facial symmetry. Facial symmetry is a well-known cue linked to developmental stability and attractiveness. When sober, you’re more likely to notice asymmetries and steer away from less healthy-looking faces. Alcohol, however, disrupts perceptual processing and quick judgments, making symmetry harder to gauge accurately. As a result, someone who might be filtered out as unattractive in a clear-headed moment can seem more average or acceptable when drunk, leading to a hookup with someone you wouldn’t choose while sober. While lowered inhibitions and increased libido can influence sexual behavior in general, the specific explanation for choosing an apparently less attractive partner is the impaired assessment of symmetry cues.