Sexual attraction
In a species that reproduces sexually, sexual attraction is an attraction to other members of the same species for sexual or erotic activity. This type of attraction often occurs amongst individuals of a sexually reproducing species, although in many species it serves no immediate reproductive goal – indeed, some sexual behavior among primates is undertaken as a social activity.
Common elements of sexual attraction in humans
Certain aspects of what is sexually attractive to humans may differ amongst particular cultures or regions. Influencing factors may be determined more locally among sub-cultures or simply by the preferences of the individual. These preferences come about as a result of a complex variety of genetic, psychological, and cultural factors. The sexual attraction of one person to another depends on both people.
Much of human sexual attractiveness is governed by physical attractiveness. This involves the impact one's appearance has on the senses, especially in the beginning of a relationship:
- Visual perception (how the other looks);
- Olfaction (how the other smells, naturally or artificially; the wrong smell may be repulsive);
- Audition (Hearing) (how the other's voice and/or movements sound).
As with other animals, pheromones may also enter into the picture, though less significantly. Theoretically, the "wrong" pheromone may cause someone to be disliked, even when they would otherwise appear attractive. Frequently a pleasant smelling perfume is used to encourage the member of the opposite sex to more deeply inhale the air surrounding its wearer, increasing the probability that the pheromones from the individual will also be inhaled. The importance of pheromones in human relationships is probably limited and is widely disputed, although it appears to have some scientific basis.
A sexually attractive visual appearance in humans generally involves:
- A general body shape and appearance sanctioned by the local culture;
- a lack of visible disease or deformity;
- a high degree of mirror symmetry between the left and right sides of the body, particularly of the face;
- a pleasing proportion between the width of the hips and the width of the waist (aka waist-hip ratio)
- a pleasing body posture.
However, these factors are complicated by many other factors. There may sometimes be a focus on particular features of the body, such as breasts, buttocks, legs, hair or musculature.
Weight, whether tending toward lighter or heavier, is also a very significant physical factor governing attractiveness in both genders. In general, individuals with excessively low or high fat levels are considered less attractive than those of a more healthy body composition. In some societies an above average amount of fat is widely seen as sexually attractive, and in others, a below average amount. The reasons for this are debated. One theory is that certain limited amounts of visible fat can be a sign of healthy retention of essential nutrition, helpful in times of famine or during pregnancy. Another theory is that the fat may be a result of a large, rich diet, provided by that individual's wealth, and thus social desirability. Obesity, however, is rarely seen as attractive.
The age of the prospective candidate also plays a role, with at least perceived youthfulness playing a role in a level of male attraction towards females, most notably in the West. This may be a personal preference or culturally defined.
Factors determining sexual attraction to human females
Physical presentation of levels of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone may impact a woman's sexual attractiveness. A woman who appears to have low levels of these hormones may be considered less sexually attractive.
A more emphasized hourglass shape with fat deposits around the breasts, hips, buttocks, and thighs, is a possible indicative of normal estrogen levels.
A woman with abnormally high levels of the male-dominant sex hormones androgens can have problems with acne and can have increased hair growth in a male pattern such as in the mustache area or on the face, which in excess is generally considered unattractive.
In Western societies, various cultural features may reflect the preference for neotenic female partners (females that, although adults, still retain many qualities of a juvenile). One example includes depilatory practices (acomoclitism such as intentional hair removal for visual and other effects) [1].
Because the ability to grow long, healthy-looking hair and fingernails is an indication of the continuous health of an individual, a woman with long hair and fingernails is often thought to appear more beautiful. The preference for this effect has resulted in the fact that hair extensions, artificial nails and manicures have grown extensively popular for Western women beginning in the 20th century. Toenails also feature as a component of sexual attractiveness to some degree.
Factors determining sexual attraction to human males
The initial attraction usually begins with the physical features of the human form and attire, and by a positive expression of the face.
A normal level of the hormone testosterone is a possible indicator of good sexual health. In the abscence of normal testosterone levels, a man may exhibit physical symptoms of less muscle development and physical height reduction.
For heterosexual and bisexual females as well as homosexual and bisexual males across the world, the one near-universal sexually attractive feature of a man is a v-shaped torso: a relatively narrow waist offset with broad shoulders. While some cultures prefer their males huskier and others leaner, the rule of a v-shaped torso generally holds true.
It has been shown that women prefer more masculine men during the fertile period of the menstrual cycle and more feminine men during other parts of the cycle. [2] Masculine facial features are characterised by a strong brow and a broad jaw whereas feminine features are less pronounced. Likewise, tall men might more frequently be considered sexually attractive than men of shorter stature.
Other aspects
Many people exhibit high levels of sexual fetishism, and are sexually stimulated by other stimuli not normally associated with sexual arousal. The degree to which such fetishism exists or has existed in different cultures is controversial.
Often the result of a sexual attraction is sexual arousal.
See also
| Types of Discrimination |
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