Physical+Attractiveness

Janice Kanellis ** Physical Attractiveness ** **Physical Attractiveness** refers to how others perceive and rate the desirability of a person’s features (“Physical attractiveness of”). These ratings depend on factors such as facial features, body shape, and smell (Carey, 2006). Perception of physical traits is partly universal to all human cultures, partly dependent of culture or society or time period, and partly a matter of individual subjective preference (“Physical attractiveness, sexiness,” 2008). Therefore, there is not one single list of physical traits that a person must have to be considered attractive.

Often times, physical attractiveness is seen as communicating reproductive health. More attractive people are perceived as more likely to have healthy and strong offspring (“Physical attractiveness, sexiness,” 2008). Attractiveness is especially important in the beginning of a relationship, as physical attributes become less relevant as people get to know each other.

**Female Attractiveness** Positive attributes of female physical attractiveness are often perceived as a sign of fertility. Some of the important ones are facial features, waist to hip ratio, breast size, and height (“Physical attractiveness, sexiness,” 2008). Blonde women are initially more attractive to men.

__Facial Features__ The female face has many characteristics that can make it attractive or not. Symmetry is important for the face as a whole (Physical attractiveness of,). Full lips are a marker for youth in women and clear eyes are a sign of youth and health. Both of these things are desirable in a woman’s face. An even skin tone and good teeth are also seen as attractive in women.

__Waist to Hip Ratio__ A low waist to hip ratio is also a sign of good health. Women with a waist to hip ratio of 0.7, (indicating that the waist is much smaller than the hips), is desirable to men. Women with a preferred waist to hip ratio will have less difficulty conceiving (Carey, 2006).

__Breast Size__ Breasts are often the first part of a woman that men look at. Larger breasts often communicate higher levels of estrogen and a greater level of fertility. Women usually believe that men are interested in larger breasts, but often times, a man’s ideal breast size is not as big as women think (Physical attractiveness and, 2010). Breasts are also viewed as simply aesthetically pleasing, regardless of size (Physical, 2011).

__Height__ Men often prefer women who are shorter than they are. This is because men like to feel like they are the dominant one or the protector and women prefer to be protected. When a woman is very tall, she is viewed as being a “domineering ‘Amazonian’” type, which is not feminine (“Physical attractiveness and,” 2010).

**Male Attractiveness** Some of the main determinants of male physical attractiveness are height, body type, and facial structure. Generally women want men who communicate dominance, power, and masculinity through their appearance. Attractiveness in men is also a sign that they will produce healthy offspring.

__Height__ Women typically prefer men to be taller than them. They are often preferred to be even taller than the average height of men. Men who are taller are seen as and dominantand powerful (“Determinants of Male,”). Dominance and power are two traits that women typically want in a man.

__Body Ty__ __pe__ A muscular physique is desirable to women. Broad chest and shoulders with a narrow waist constitute the “hour glass” figure in men. Most women prefer this body type. These physical features of the body are often an indicator that the male is active in some way, whether he plays sports or exercises on a regular basis. A woman, however, finds it unattractive when the male body is over-developed (“Physical attractiveness and,”).

__Facial Structure__: The ideal male facial structure is often described as “chiseled.” Symmetry is very important, where facial features are mirrored across the vertical midline of the face. Small imperfections are usually not noticed, but for the most part, symmetry is an important factor to facial attractiveness (“Physical attractiveness of,”). A strong jawline and pronounced cheekbones are also viewed as positive. Good teeth are preferred as well as a good complexion. All of these facial traits communicate that the male is healthy and strong and are desirable to women (Carey, 2006).

**Pheromones** Pheromone is defined as an agent secreted by an individual that produces a change in the sexual or social behavior of another individual of the same species. Pheromones are a very controversial topic, but are thought to be linked to the idea of being attracted to another person’s smell (Carey, 2006). Pheromones are sensed by the Jacobson’s organ in the nose. Once the Jacobson’s organ detects the pheromone, it translates the odor into chemical transmitting signals, which trigger emotions such as fear and sex drive (Regelson, 2002). Studies have shown that people prefer the smell of pheromones that are similar to their own, but not identical. This means that people do not like the smell of their relatives. It has also been found that people do not like the smell of pheromones that are completely different from their own. This preference of smells is a way for an individual to find a mate that will be able to produce the strongest and healthiest offspring (Regelson, 2002).

**Similarity is attractiveness** It has been proven that people look for mates who are of a similar level of attractiveness. This means that people are constantly evaluating themselves in regards to their physical attractiveness as well as evaluating others. Choosing a mate who is considered much more physically attractive may cause feelings of inferiority or self-consciousness (“Physical attractiveness and,” 2010).

**Conclusion** Physical attractiveness varies from culture to culture and from individual to individual. There is no universal definition as to what physical attractiveness is. Physical attractiveness is the way that a person judges another person upon first sight. Different attributes of a person’s appearance communicate different things, whether it implies that a woman is fertile and healthy, or if a man is masculine and strong. A person who is physically attractive is also viewed as having more positive personality traits, such as kindness and intelligence. When someone is physically attracted to another, although it is a subconscious thought, they believe that the other person will reproduce healthy and strong offspring. While physical attractiveness is what draws one person to approach to another in the beginning, it becomes less important as a relationship develops.

**References**

Carey, Bjorn. (2006). The rules of attraction in the game of love. Retrieved from []

Definition of pheromone. (2001, April 10). Retrieved from []

Determinants of male physical attractiveness. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.newsdial.com/relationships/dating/male-attractiveness.html

Kniffin, Kevin. (2004). The effect of nonphysical traits on the perception of physical attractiveness: three naturalistic studies. Evolution and Human Behavior, 88- 101. (2007, June).

Physical attraction, sexiness and health… the female edition. (2008, December 20). Health Habits, Retrieved from [|http://www.healthhabits.ca/2008/12/22/physical-attraction-sexiness-and- healththe-female-edition/]

Physical Attractiveness. (2011). Wikipedia. Retrieved April 10, 2011, from "Physical Attractiveness." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 7 Apr. 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2011.

Physical attractiveness and reproductive success in humans: evidence from the late 20th century United States. (2010). Retrieved April 10, 2011, from http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Physical_attractiveness

Physical attractiveness of the face and the attractiveness halo. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://face-and- emotion.com/dataface/facets/attractiveness.jsp

Regelson, Initials. (2002). Pheromones- understanding the mystery of sexual attraction.