Physical Attractiveness Good looking people are approached more often than homely people. Thus, their social networks are naturally larger and they are more popular. They seem to have better communication skills and they make more money. Also, being around good looking people makes you more attractive. Your esteem needs might be met because you may feel better about yourself for being able to attract a beautiful lover. Good-looking people are more sexually arousing and have better sex lives.
Variables that influences physical attractiveness are facial features, body type, weight, and height. These parameters should be close to the mean of population. Social influences, such as the media, dictate what is beautiful and what is not. Aging affects physical attractiveness. As people age, skin wrinkles or becomes pigmented, things tend to sag, and balding occurs. Also, metabolism slows down leading to unwanted weight gain. Society tells us that these aging signs are not attractive. Any physical disabilities or deformities are also considered not attractive by society.
Biases towards physical attractive traits stem from evolution because they were attractive for breeding and survival. Any deviations of physical appearance were possible signs of illness or disease. Young looking, large breasted women with low waist-to-hip ratio represented health as well as the ability to bear and nurse babies. Tall and athletic males were more attractive because they were better able to protect and provide for females and their offspring. |