Sexual attraction

Sexual attraction, in species that reproduce sexually, is an attraction to other members of the same species for sexual or erotic activity. This type of attraction is often important for the survival of sexually reproducing species, while in many species it serves no immediate reproductive goal; indeed, much sexual behaviour amongst humans is undertaken as a purely social activity.

Evolutionary science suggests that sexual attraction evolved in order to maximize the chance of reproducing with the most suitable mate. However, other examples of sexual attraction such as sexual fetishism or homosexuality do not seem to serve this purpose: until more is understood (and conclusively proven) about the nature and origins of human sexual orientation, the nature of sexual attraction cannot be fully understood.

Common elements of sexual attraction in humans

Typically, sexual attraction refers to a person being drawn to another in order to have a sexual relationship. The concrete meaning of a sexual relationship differs across cultures and has changed over the course of history. Because human social behavior is often highly complex, a sexual relationship may start out with little or no sexual behavior ('low key' sexual behaviour such as kissing is common to all human cultures). Then, after a period of time known as a courtship period or even a threshold such as marriage, sexual activity like vaginal, anal or oral sex may enter the interaction patterns.

Certain aspects of what is sexually attractive to humans are generally agreed upon across the species, but may differ amongst particular cultures or regions. Other 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 variety of genetic, psychological and cultural factors. Sexual attractiveness 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 (how the other's voice and/or movements sound)

Some studies suggest that one source of the physical attractiveness of a human female to a human male is dependent upon a proportion between the width of the hips and the width of the waist (aka waist-hip ratio) (see Golden ratio for other examples of aesthetically appealing ratios).

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 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.
* pleasing bodily 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, legs, hair, or musculature.

In Western societies, various cultural features may reflect the preference for neotenic female partners, or females that, although adults, still retain many qualities of a juvenile (in other words, they still look young even if they're old); many are dated to antiquity. These include depilatory practices (acomoclitism such as intentional hair removal for visual and other effects) [1].

A strong aspect to sexual attraction is proportion. It is typical for a plastic surgeon to correct a perceived error of proportion, such as reshaping a nose via rhinoplasty, or making breasts larger via breast implants. However, plastic surgery can also accidentally or intentionally produce disproportionate features as well, such as the oversized breast implants of some exotic dancers.

In regard to the female genitalia, the aesthetic consensus stresses the roundness and largeness of the labia majora, and the symmetry of the labia minora. Vulval aesthetics are relatively new in being observed, as previously the female genitalia was regarded as either repulsive, uninteresting, nonexistent, or taboo in Western culture. The realization to the contrary following the feminist movement and sexual revolution has brought about a new realm of plastic surgery and so-called "designer vaginas".

The appearance of health also plays a part in physical attraction. Often, women with long hair are thought to appear more beautiful, as the ability to grow long, healthy-looking hair is an indication of the continuous health of an individual. Another indication of the health of an individual is the ability to grow long, strong, healthy-looking fingernails. The preference for this effect has resulted in the fact that artificial nails and manicures have grown extensively popular for women beginning in the 20^th century. Toenails also feature as a component of sexual attractiveness to some degree. Healthy-looking skin is also considered a trait of beauty.

Weight, whether tending toward thinner or heavier, is also a very significant physical factor governing attractiveness of both genders. In general, individuals with excessive or above average visible fat are considered less attractive than those without as much fat. However, in certain societies an above average amount of fat is widely seen as sexually attractive. 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 when nurturing a fetus. 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, if ever seen as attractive, and even when overweight individuals are considered attractive it is usually because they still retain other factors seen as attractive, such as good looks and a well defined figure.

Factors determining sexual attraction to human males

A couple being attracted

The initial attraction usually begins with the physical features of the human form and attire, and by a positive expression of the face and body.

For heterosexual and bisexual females as well as homosexual and bisexual males across the world, regardless of culture, the one near-universal trait of attractiveness for a man to have 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 studied that women prefer more masculine men during the fertile period of the menstrual cycle and more feminine men during other parts of the cycle. Masculine facial features are characterized by a strong brow and a broad jaw while feminine features are less pronounced.

It is thought that sexual attractiveness of a man to some women and gay men, is somewhat determined by the height of the man. In modern culture it is usually an importance that the male be at least slightly taller than the female for a long term relationship to form. Some women prefer that the man be at least a little above the average in height in the given population of males because it unconsciously seems to them as a sign of dominance and masculinity. Although height is one aspect of male to male dominance as men mature this aspect becomes less so. Height says very little about one's health and fitness in most cases in areas of the world where the vast majority of people reach their genetic growth potential.

Those who believe that the muscular contour of a male is attractive will choose males with well-defined muscles. Males who make use of their hormone testosterone through exercise or bodybuilding techniques typically find themselves more attractive as their muscles take shape.

At various times in history and throughout various cultures and sub-cultures the growth, maintenance and display of facial or body hair produced as a by-product of testosterone activity within male bodies has been considered a primary characteristic of sexual attractiveness, and of a display of masculinity in general. Cultural development seems to oscillate through multi-generational cycles from one pole to another: extreme hair growth, especially of facial hair accompanied by elaborate grooming rituals is often followed within a couple of generations by a widespread antipathy to body hair and the widespread adoption of depilatory practices.

The causal mechanism for this oscillation has not been established but differences in the simultaneous characterization of body hair attractiveness within a culture between different social classes may indicate that the dynamic force driving the diffusion of differing male body hair social practices is in fact mate selection by females.

Other aspects

Many people exhibit high levels of sexual fetishism, and are sexually aroused 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.

References

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16055126&dopt=Abstract

External links

* Sexual Attraction Among Humans
* FaceResearch – Scientific research and online studies on the role of faces in sexual attraction
* Instances of Sexual Attraction between psychotherapists and clients
* Reunions Set Off Sex Urges, Article on sexual attraction among birth relatives sparked by reunion.
* Genetic sexual attraction, News report in the Guardian on persons who have had sexual relationships with or sexually attracted to relatives after reunion.
* www.lookism.info deconstruction of attraction and beauty standards

Sexual attraction: Encyclopedia BETA