Brooding, Proud Guys Score High on Sex Appeal

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D.on May 25, 2011

We are all familiar with media advertisements in which sullen looking men, often accompanied by a beautiful women, project an aura of sexuality and decadence. The ‘picture’ sells the product, whatever the product may be.

The perceptions created by the ads may be accurate as investigators discover women find happy guys significantly less sexually attractive than swaggering or brooding men. University of British Columbia researchers say the findings may help explain the enduring allure of “bad boys” and other iconic gender types.

The study — which may cause men to smile less on dates, and inspire online daters to update their profile photos — finds dramatic gender differences in how men and women rank the sexual attractiveness of non-verbal expressions of commonly displayed emotions, including happiness, pride, and shame.

Authors point out that very few studies have explored the relationship between emotions and attraction, and this is the first to report a significant gender difference in the attractiveness of smiles.

Another key contribution of this study is the unique inquiry into the attractiveness associated with displays of pride and shame.

The study is published online in the American Psychological Association journal Emotion.

“While showing a happy face is considered essential to friendly social interactions, including those involving sexual attraction – few studies have actually examined whether a smile is, in fact, attractive,” said psychologist Dr. Jessica Tracy. “This study finds that men and women respond very differently to displays of emotion, including smiles.”

In a series of studies, more than 1,000 adult participants rated the sexual attractiveness of hundreds of images of the opposite sex engaged in universal displays of happiness (broad smiles), pride (raised heads, puffed-up chests) and shame (lowered heads, averted eyes).

The study found that women were least attracted to smiling, happy men, preferring those who looked proud and powerful or moody and ashamed.

In contrast, male participants were most sexually attracted to women who looked happy, and least attracted to women who appeared proud and confident.

“It is important to remember that this study explored first impressions of sexual attraction to images of the opposite sex,” said Alec Beall, a UBC psychology graduate student and study co-author.

“We were not asking participants if they thought these targets would make a good boyfriend or wife – we wanted their gut reactions on carnal, sexual attraction.” He said previous studies have found positive emotional traits and a nice personality to be highly desirable in a relationship partners.

Tracy and Beall said that other studies suggest that what people find attractive has been shaped by centuries of evolutionary and cultural forces. For example, evolutionary theories suggest females are attracted to male displays of pride because they imply status, competence and an ability to provide for a partner and offspring.

According to Beall, the pride expression accentuates typically masculine physical features, such as upper body size and muscularity. “Previous research has shown that these features are among the most attractive male physical characteristics, as judged by women,” he said.

The researchers say more work is needed to understand the differing responses to happiness, but suggest the phenomenon can also be understood according to principles of evolutionary psychology, as well as socio-cultural gender norms.

For example, past research has associated smiling with a lack of dominance, which is consistent with traditional gender norms of the “submissive and vulnerable” woman, but inconsistent with “strong, silent” man, the researchers said. “Previous research has also suggested that happiness is a particularly feminine-appearing expression,” Beall added.

“Generally, the results appear to reflect some very traditional gender norms and cultural values that have emerged, developed and been reinforced through history, at least in Western cultures,” Tracy said. “These include norms and values that many would consider old-fashioned and perhaps hoped that we’ve moved beyond.”

Displays of shame, Tracy said, have been associated with an awareness of social norms and appeasement behaviors, which elicits trust in others. This may explain shame’s surprising attractiveness to both genders, she said, given that both men and women prefer a partner they can trust.

While this study focused on sexual attraction between heterosexual men and women in North America, the researchers say future studies will be required to explore the relationship between emotions and sexual attractiveness among homosexuals and non-Western cultures.

Overall, the researchers found that men ranked women more attractive than women ranked men.

Source: University of British Columbia

Related News Articles
-->Related Clinical Articles
-->

 

 

Brain and Behavior, Featured, General, Health-related, LifeHelper, Memory and Perception, Mental Health and Wellness, Personality, Professional, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Relationships and Sexuality, Research -->

« News Index

Sexuality & RelationshipsSexuality LibraryFrequently Asked Questions about SexualityAn Overview of Sex TherapyThe 10 Myths Behind MasturbationWhat is Sexual Addiction?  Relationships & Love LibraryChoosing Happiness in Our Lives10 Rules for Friendly Fighting for CouplesAn Exercise to Grow Your Relationsihp QuizzesHow Strong is Your Relationship?Romance Attachment QuizFeeling Connected? QuizDo I Have a Love, Lust or Loser Relationship?Sexual Addiction Screening TestDomestic Violence Screening Ask a QuestionAsk the TherapistAsk Others Other ResourcesRelationship ResourcesSexuality and Gender Resources Support GroupsRelationships & CommunicationSexuality and Gender Issues 
Latest ArticlesHow and Why Humor Differs Between the SexesFuture Babble15 Insights on Improving Mother-Daughter RelationshipsCompetition Among Women: Myth and Reality10 Way to Build and Preserve Better BoundariesTurning Acquaintances Into Friends
 From Our News BureauThe Drug Metyrapone to Erase Bad Memories? Brain's Response to Sadness Predicts Depression Relapse Animal Study Suggests Omega-3 Lessens Depression, Mania
Just Published...7 Good Reasons to Cry: The Healing Property of TearsHow Healthy Is Your Metaphor?Affirmations for PessimistsHypomania and the Culture of Western Medicine
What's Hot5 Keys to Building Strong Relationships in Any Sphere of LifeadvertisementMost Popular NewsThe Drug Metyrapone to Erase Bad Memories? Brain's Response to Sadness Predicts Depression Relapse Animal Study Suggests Omega-3 Lessens Depression, Mania Postural Problems a Sign of Bipolar Illness? Disaster Plans Should Include Those with Mental Illness U.S. South Has Higher Risk of Cognitive Decline Our Brains Distort Our Own Body Image Music Therapy Aids in Relieving Fibromyalgia Depression's Chemical Imbalance Explained Social Cues Are Difficult for People with Schizophrenia Most Popular Blog PostsThe Link Between Creativity and Eccentricity 7 Good Reasons to Cry: The Healing Property of Tears Atypical Antipsychotic Medications Not a Good Choice for Alzheimer's Helping Others Is Good For Your Health: An Interview with Stephen G. Post, PhD Am I a Defensive Pessimist? When the Rapture Doesn't Happen, How Will Harold Camping React? Bummer, The World Didn’t End: Now What? How to Spot a Narcissist 10 Tips to Enhance Your Love Bonds The Healing Power of Laughter Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter

advertisement
Find a Therapist

Users Online: 2714
Join Us Now!
Local GuidesAll Guides
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
DC
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming


  #footer { height:220px; } #foot-mid { margin:0 0 0 40px; } Home • About Us • Advertise with Us • Contact Us
Privacy Policy • Terms of Use • Site Map • Disclaimer/Disclosure • Feeds

Download the Psych Central Toolbar

Copyright © 1992-2011 Psych Central. All rights reserved.
Site last updated: 29 May 2011

Psych Central Professional
Psych Central Answers
Psych Central Blog Network
Psych Central News
Tests & Quizzes
Sanity Score
Forums • NeuroTalk

ADHD
Anxiety
Bipolar
Depression
Schizophrenia
Psychotherapy

We comply
with the
HONcode
standard:
Verify here