Sociosexuality in women and preference for facial masculinization and somatotype in men

Sociosexual orientation reflects individual differences in openness to short-term sexual relationships. We predicted that women with less restricted sociosexuality would be differentially attracted to highly masculinized male faces and bodies. In 2 studies, we investigated preference for male mascul...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of sexual behavior 2006-06, Vol.35 (3), p.305-312
Main Authors: Provost, Meghan P, Kormos, Christine, Kosakoski, Graham, Quinsey, Vernon L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Analysis of Variance
Beauty
Face
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Men
Personal relationships
Sexual orientation
Sexuality
Social Desirability
Somatotypes
Surveys and Questionnaires
Women
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Summary:Sociosexual orientation reflects individual differences in openness to short-term sexual relationships. We predicted that women with less restricted sociosexuality would be differentially attracted to highly masculinized male faces and bodies. In 2 studies, we investigated preference for male masculinization as a function of female sociosexuality. In Study 1, 40 female university students rated the attractiveness of pictures of male faces and somatotypes differing in masculinization level. All women preferred the faces with average levels of masculinity and the mesomorph somatotype; however, women with less restricted sociosexuality found the faces of men more attractive in general and showed relatively greater preference for masculinized bodies than did women with more restricted sociosexuality. In Study 2, 56 women met with 2 equally attractive male confederates, 1 highly masculinized and 1 less masculinized, in a "speed dating" scenario. After each date, women indicated their interest in each man for short-term and long-term relationships via questionnaire. In this more naturalistic context, sociosexuality was related to an increased interest for the more highly masculinized man in the context of short-term dating. Female sociosexuality appears to be related to preferences for higher levels of male masculinization.
ISSN:0004-0002
1573-2800
DOI:10.1007/s10508-006-9029-3