How Women Pick Mates vs. Flings

[Marilyn. 340]

Science might be able to explain our fascination with Brad Pitt's chiseled jaw and George Clooney's smoldering eyes.

and fuller lips are perceived as better long-term mates.

In the study, 854 male and female subjects viewed a series of male head shots that had been digitally altered to exaggerate or minimize masculine traits. The participants then answered questions about how they expected the men in the photos to behave.

Overwhelmingly, participants said those with more masculine features were likely to be risky and competitive and also more apt to fight, challenge bosses, cheat on spouses and put less effort into parenting. Those with more feminine faces were seen as good parents and husbands, hard workers and emotionally supportive mates Compare Examples.

Despite all the negative attributes, when asked who they would choose for a short-term relationship, women still selected the more masculine looking men. Brad and George then would be picks for a brief romance, if not the long haul.

Makes sense

The new study's author, Daniel Kruger at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, said that from an evolutionary perspective, it makes sense women would view more masculine-looking men as potential flings and less masculine-looking ones as long-term partners.

The key, he said, is testosterone, the hormone responsible for development of masculine facial features and other secondary sexual characteristics.

Testosterone is necessary for development, but can also have detrimental health effects. It has been shown, for example, to interfere with the body's immune response, so men who are able to maintain high levels of the hormone are typically strong and healthy—traits women would want to pass on to their progeny.

Increased testosterone has also been linked to male cheating and violence in relationships, so while these men might produce high quality offspring, they don't always make great parents or faithful mates, Kruger says.

The study suggests women could be equipped to use seemingly superficial characteristics "as a cue to pick up on trends in these behavioral strategies," Kruger said.

Get a clue

There are plenty of these signals in the animal world. Male peacocks' huge, outrageous tails can make foraging for food and evading predators difficult, but the plumage, which many researchers say indicates male fitness, is so effective at luring females that the trait has been preserved in the population, Kruger points out.

While the findings are compelling, the scientific community has typically greeted the field of physiognomy, which links facial characteristics to certain behavioral traits, with skepticism.

Kruger argues, however, that the research is a valuable tool for understanding mating strategies. And, of course, for explaining how Pitt and Clooney managed to snag People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" title two times each—it might have to do with their genes, but could also have something to do with ours.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/200701...ckmatesvsflings

interesting

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Well, scientists aside, between the chiseled jaw and full lips, Brad & Angelina should have it made then, no? M.

[Peikko 1,575]

I looked at the two pics and just thought the one on the left looked younger and subjectively put an 'immature' label on him, which incidentally would put him low down on my list of desirable attributes.(I'm not a beard fan either ) Wonder what that means?

[mybackpages 0]

Compare Examples.

My first reaction is the photo on the right is more attractive.

[Peikko 1,575]

What's with added teeth baring on the one on the left too?

[MichelleandCraig 1]

I thought the one on the right was better, too. Don't really buy into the short-term/long-term thing as far as looks myself, though that does draw people initially. I think it just depends on the people how long it lasts, obviously. M.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Hmmm...interesting. Maybe it works for the opposite side as well. I've never had the experience of dating a woman who I found drop-dead gorgeous at first sight. It isn't until after I've fallen in love that I find my partner incredibly attractive.

[Bootylicious!! 2]

My first thought about the photos was why didn't they pick a more attractive man to begin with. Yeah the one on the right is better looking but I wouldn't choose either one.

[Thingee 0]

Ick to both. What does that mean?

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

shouldn't the choice be between some bad boy on a motorbike and some guy that looks like Alex P. Keaton?

I don't think those photos were chosen by a woman.

[Marilyn. 340]

I think the guy on the right is ok looking...

although he probably would look better if he shaved the beard and mustache

I don't like to judge people on how they look though...you never know, the guy could be a great guy

Edited January 4, 2007 by MarilynP

[Scott & Lai 12]

They're both the same guy

[mRx 16]

Science might be able to explain our fascination with Brad Pitt's chiseled jaw and George Clooney's smoldering eyes.

and fuller lips are perceived as better long-term mates.

In the study, 854 male and female subjects viewed a series of male head shots that had been digitally altered to exaggerate or minimize masculine traits. The participants then answered questions about how they expected the men in the photos to behave.

Overwhelmingly, participants said those with more masculine features were likely to be risky and competitive and also more apt to fight, challenge bosses, cheat on spouses and put less effort into parenting. Those with more feminine faces were seen as good parents and husbands, hard workers and emotionally supportive mates Compare Examples.

Despite all the negative attributes, when asked who they would choose for a short-term relationship, women still selected the more masculine looking men. Brad and George then would be picks for a brief romance, if not the long haul.

Makes sense

The new study's author, Daniel Kruger at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, said that from an evolutionary perspective, it makes sense women would view more masculine-looking men as potential flings and less masculine-looking ones as long-term partners.

The key, he said, is testosterone, the hormone responsible for development of masculine facial features and other secondary sexual characteristics.

Testosterone is necessary for development, but can also have detrimental health effects. It has been shown, for example, to interfere with the body's immune response, so men who are able to maintain high levels of the hormone are typically strong and healthy—traits women would want to pass on to their progeny.

Increased testosterone has also been linked to male cheating and violence in relationships, so while these men might produce high quality offspring, they don't always make great parents or faithful mates, Kruger says.

The study suggests women could be equipped to use seemingly superficial characteristics "as a cue to pick up on trends in these behavioral strategies," Kruger said.

Get a clue

There are plenty of these signals in the animal world. Male peacocks' huge, outrageous tails can make foraging for food and evading predators difficult, but the plumage, which many researchers say indicates male fitness, is so effective at luring females that the trait has been preserved in the population, Kruger points out.

While the findings are compelling, the scientific community has typically greeted the field of physiognomy, which links facial characteristics to certain behavioral traits, with skepticism.

Kruger argues, however, that the research is a valuable tool for understanding mating strategies. And, of course, for explaining how Pitt and Clooney managed to snag People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" title two times each—it might have to do with their genes, but could also have something to do with ours.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/200701...ckmatesvsflings

interesting

this is called sexual selection (Darwin). Further proving humans are no different than animals.

[Marilyn. 340]

They're both the same guy

yes, we are all aware of that