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Boonipat T, Sanchez Figueroa NG, Huang T, Martinez-Jorge J. The impact of chest contouring aesthetics outcomes: a pilot eye tracking study. Case Reports Plast Surg Hand Surg 2023; 11:2287027. [PMID: 38179208 PMCID: PMC10763852 DOI: 10.1080/23320885.2023.2287027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Eye-tracking technology was used to assess aesthetic surgical outcomes in transgender and gender diverse patients who are assigned female at birth and who seek gender affirming chest surgery. Post-surgery, observers focused more on scars than on the nipple-areolar complex. Ratings for similarity to cis-male chests significantly increased. This series highlights the objective evaluation of visual perception and masculinity assessments using eye-tracking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanapoom Boonipat
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Tony Huang
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jorys Martinez-Jorge
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Locke A, Arnocky S. Breast symmetry, but not size or volume, predicts salivary immunoglobulin-A (sIgA) in women. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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3
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Moellhoff N, Kandelhardt C, Ehrl D, Kohler L, Koban K, Giunta RE, Guertler A, Mardini S, Cotofana S, Frank K. The Impact of Breast Symmetry on Eye Movement and Gaze Pattern: An Eye-Tracking Investigation. Aesthet Surg J 2021; 41:NP1512-NP1518. [PMID: 34272851 DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjab285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective assessment of beauty remains challenging despite ongoing research efforts. A new method of objectively determining the aesthetic appeal of body features by analyzing gaze patterns and eye movements has recently been investigated. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to assess, by means of objective eye-tracking technology, differences in the gaze patterns of observers presented with standardized 3-dimensional images showing different degrees of breast asymmetry. METHODS A total of 83 Caucasian study participants with a mean age of 38.60 (19.8) years were presented with 5 images depicting varying degrees of breast asymmetry. In addition to the assessment of eye movements, participants were asked to rate the aesthetic appeal and the asymmetry of the breasts on a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS Overall, the data showed that participants' rating of the breasts' aesthetic appeal was inversely related to the level of asymmetry. The mean [standard deviation] time until fixation was shortest for the image depicting the greatest breast asymmetry (50 cc) at 0.77 [0.7] seconds (P < 0.001). In addition, the mammary region was also viewed longest in this image at 3.76 [0.5] seconds (P < 0.001). A volume difference of 35 cc between breasts deflected the observers' gaze significantly toward the larger of the asymmetric breasts (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Surgeons should focus on achieving symmetric breast volume (ie, differences <35 cc between breasts) to avoid noticeable asymmetry with regard to breast size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Moellhoff
- Division of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Chiara Kandelhardt
- Division of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Denis Ehrl
- Division of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Lukas Kohler
- Division of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Konstantin Koban
- Division of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Riccardo E Giunta
- Division of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Anne Guertler
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Samir Mardini
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Sebastian Cotofana
- Department of Clinical Anatomy, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Konstantin Frank
- Division of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
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Pietruski P. Commentary on: The Impact of Breast Symmetry on Eye Movement and Gaze Pattern: An Eye-Tracking Investigation. Aesthet Surg J 2021; 41:NP1519-NP1520. [PMID: 34351384 DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjab309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Pietruski
- Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Gruca Teaching Hospital, Otwock, Poland
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Pawłowski B, Żelaźniewicz A. The evolution of perennially enlarged breasts in women: a critical review and a novel hypothesis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:2794-2809. [PMID: 34254729 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The possession of permanent, adipose breasts in women is a uniquely human trait that develops during puberty, well in advance of the first pregnancy. The adaptive role and developmental pattern of this breast morphology, unusual among primates, remains an unresolved conundrum. The evolutionary origins of this trait have been the focus of many hypotheses, which variously suggest that breasts are a product of sexual selection or of natural selection due to their putative role in assisting in nursing or as a thermoregulatory organ. Alternative hypotheses assume that permanent breasts are a by-product of other evolutionary changes. We review and evaluate these hypotheses in the light of recent literature on breast morphology, physiology, phylogeny, ontogeny, sex differences, and genetics in order to highlight their strengths and flaws and to propose a coherent perspective and a new hypothesis on the evolutionary origins of perennially enlarged breasts in women. We propose that breasts appeared as early as Homo ergaster, originally as a by-product of other coincident evolutionary processes of adaptive significance. These included an increase in subcutaneous fat tissue (SFT) in response to the demands of thermoregulatory and energy storage, and of the ontogenetic development of the evolving brain. An increase in SFT triggered an increase in oestradiol levels (E2). An increase in meat in the diet of early Homo allowed for further hormonal changes, such as greater dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA/S) synthesis, which were crucial for brain evolution. DHEA/S is also easily converted to E2 in E2-sensitive body parts, such as breasts and gluteofemoral regions, causing fat accumulation in these regions, enabling the evolution of perennially enlarged breasts. Furthermore, it is also plausible that after enlarged breasts appeared, they were co-opted for other functions, such as attracting mates and indicating biological condition. Finally, we argue that the multifold adaptive benefits of SFT increase and hormonal changes outweighed the possible costs of perennially enlarged breasts, enabling their further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogusław Pawłowski
- Department of Human Biology, University of Wrocław, ul. Przybyszewskiego 63, Wrocław, 51-148, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Żelaźniewicz
- Department of Human Biology, University of Wrocław, ul. Przybyszewskiego 63, Wrocław, 51-148, Poland
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Pietruski P, Noszczyk B, Paskal AM, Paskal W, Paluch Ł, Jaworowski J. The Impact of Mastectomy on Women's Visual Perception of Breast Aesthetics and Symmetry: A Pilot Eye-Tracking Study. Aesthet Surg J 2020; 40:850-861. [PMID: 31562524 DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjz252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about breast cancer survivors' perception of breast attractiveness. A better understanding of this subjective concept could contribute to the improvement of patient-reported outcomes after reconstructive surgeries and facilitate the development of new methods for assessing breast reconstruction outcomes. OBJECTIVES The aim of this eye-tracking (ET)-based study was to verify whether mastectomy altered women's visual perception of breast aesthetics and symmetry. METHODS A group of 30 women after unilateral mastectomy and 30 healthy controls evaluated the aesthetics and symmetry of various types of female breasts displayed as highly standardized digital images. Gaze patterns of women from the study groups were recorded using an ET system and subjected to a comparative analysis. RESULTS Regardless of the study group, the longest fixation duration and the highest fixation number were found in the nipple-areola complex. This area was also the most common region of the initial fixation. Several significant between-group differences were identified; the gaze patterns of women after mastectomy were generally characterized by longer fixation times for the inframammary fold, lower pole, and upper half of the breast. CONCLUSIONS Mastectomy might affect women's visual perception patterns during the evaluation of breast aesthetics and symmetry. ET data might improve our understanding of breast attractiveness and constitute the basis for a new reliable method for the evaluation of outcomes of reconstructive breast surgeries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Pietruski
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical Centre of Postgraduate Education, Prof. W. Orlowski Memorial Hospital, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Noszczyk
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical Centre of Postgraduate Education, Prof. W. Orlowski Memorial Hospital, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adriana M Paskal
- Department of Research Methodology, Laboratory of Center for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wiktor Paskal
- Department of Research Methodology, Laboratory of Center for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Łukasz Paluch
- Department of Radiology, Medical Centre of Postgraduate Education, Gruca Orthopaedic and Trauma Teaching Hospital, Otwock, Poland
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Kościński K, Makarewicz R, Bartoszewicz Z. Stereotypical and Actual Associations of Breast Size with Mating-Relevant Traits. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2020; 49:821-836. [PMID: 31562583 PMCID: PMC7058577 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-019-1464-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Breast size varies substantially among women and influences perception of the woman by other people with regard to her attractiveness and other characteristics that are important in social contexts, including mating. The theory of sexual selection predicts that physical criteria of partner selection should be markers of the candidate's desirable properties, mainly biological quality. Few studies, however, have examined whether breast size really signals biological quality or its components and whether observers accurately interpret these signals. Our first study encompassed 163 young women and aimed to establish actual correlates of breast size. The aim of the second study was to determine preferences and stereotypes related to breast size: 252-265 women and men evaluated female digital figures varying in, among other characteristics, breast size. Breast size (breast circumference minus chest circumference) was negatively associated with body asymmetry and positively associated with infections of the respiratory system, but did not correlate with infections of the digestive system, openness to casual sex, and testosterone and estradiol level. Women and men perceived breasts in a similar way to each other: the bigger the breasts the higher the reproductive efficiency, lactational efficiency, sexual desire, and promiscuity attributed to the woman. Nevertheless, large breasts were not regarded more attractive than average ones, though small breasts were the least attractive. In addition, big-breasted women were perceived as less faithful and less intelligent than women with average or small breasts. We discuss our results from the perspectives of evolutionary psychology, perceptual biases, and social stereotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Kościński
- Department of Human Evolutionary Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Rafał Makarewicz
- Department of Human Evolutionary Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614, Poznan, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Bartoszewicz
- Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Analysis of the Visual Perception of Female Breast Aesthetics and Symmetry. Plast Reconstr Surg 2019; 144:1257-1266. [DOI: 10.1097/prs.0000000000006292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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9
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Kościński K. Breast firmness is of greater importance for women's attractiveness than breast size. Am J Hum Biol 2019; 31:e23287. [PMID: 31237051 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Male preferences are believed to have played a role in the evolution of permanently enlarged breasts in human females. Although breast size and shape are proven to affect women's attractiveness, their relative importance has not been investigated thus far. We aime to address this gap. METHODS We prepared two sets of stimuli, each comprising 49 high-quality color images of a topless woman in a three-quarter view that varied in breast size (from 1 to 7) and firmness (from 1 to 7). Set A depicted the glandular ptosis (ie, breast shape being manipulated but the nipple always directed forward), while Set B depicted true ptosis (both breast shape and nipple position being manipulated). Participants (aged 18-45) were assigned to Set A (62 women, 60 men) or Set B (76 women, 52 men). First, each participant indicated the most attractive woman in the set of images. Next, the participant chose the more attractive woman from pairs in which one female deviated from the participant's ideal in breast size and the other in breast firmness. RESULTS Both men and women preferred breasts of average or slightly above-average size and high or extreme firmness. Glandular ptosis was as important for attractiveness as breast size, but true ptosis was of much greater importance. Men preferred slightly bigger breasts than women. CONCLUSIONS Further attempts to explain evolution of permanent breasts in human females should give greater attention to breast shape than has previously been the case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Kościński
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Anthropology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
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10
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Hou J, Sui L, Jiang X, Han C, Chen Q. Facial Attractiveness of Chinese College Students With Different Sexual Orientation and Sex Roles. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 13:132. [PMID: 31114490 PMCID: PMC6503079 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Facial attractiveness refers to a positive and joyful emotional experience induced by the face of a target person and the extent to which other people are driven to be close to their wishes. Since the 1970s, face attractiveness has gradually emerged in western psychological research, but most of the studies were confined to heterosexuals. More recently, some scholars have pointed out that sexual orientation may affect the judgment of facial attractiveness of individuals. Based on previous literature, this study proposed to explore the different facial attractiveness of individuals with different sexual orientations and sexual roles. Participants in this study were divided into two types (according to sexual orientation and sexual role) by the Sex Role Inventory for College Students (CSRI). Also, the eye-tracking technique was used to record the path of eye movements, where face images were manipulated by sexual dimorphism clues. The results showed that (1) compared to heterosexual men, homosexual men were significantly more likely to choose masculine faces as more attractive faces in paired faces; (2) male homosexuals are likely to have the feminization bias, and female homosexuals are likely to have the masculinization bias; and (3) the masculine faces are more attractive than feminine faces to participants whose sex role is feminine type and androgynous type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Hou
- Department of Philosophy, Anhui University, Hefei, China
| | - Lumeng Sui
- Department of Philosophy, Anhui University, Hefei, China
| | - Xinxin Jiang
- Department of Philosophy, Anhui University, Hefei, China
| | - Chengyang Han
- College of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Philosophy, Anhui University, Hefei, China
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11
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Szczuka JM, Krämer NC. There's More to Humanity Than Meets the Eye: Differences in Gaze Behavior Toward Women and Gynoid Robots. Front Psychol 2019; 10:693. [PMID: 31068845 PMCID: PMC6491769 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on evolutionary psychological theories, numerous eye-tracking studies have demonstrated how people visually perceive a potential mate in order to efficiently estimate the person’s mate value. Companies are currently working on sexualized robots that provide numerous human-like visual cues which foster the visual resemblance to humans. To gain more elaborated knowledge on how people react to sexualized robots compared with humans, the present study empirically investigated whether heterosexual males transfer deep-rooted evolutionary psychological processes of mate perception to human-like and machine-like sexualized robots. Moreover, we aimed to learn more about the processes of orienting responses toward human and non-human stimuli and about potential predictors of visual attention to robots. Therefore, we conducted an eye-tracking study in which 15 heterosexual men, 12 homosexual men, and 18 heterosexual women were confronted with stimuli showing women, human-like gynoid robots and machine-like gynoid robots. For the sample as a whole, there was no difference in the amount of time spent looking at the human and non-human breasts. However, the results for the heterosexual males supported the assumption that human breasts attract more visual attention than do the breast areas of human-like and machine-like robots. The pelvic region yielded an unexpected gaze pattern, as all participants spent more time looking at the robotic pelvic area than at the human one, with more visual attention paid to the machine-like robots than to the human-like robots. The results of the viewing times toward the head revealed that all participants had a stronger need to gain visual information about the human head in comparison to the robotic heads, underlining the importance of authenticity in terms of emotions and motivations that can only be decoded in humans. Moreover, the study showed that individuals more frequently switched their visual attention toward different body parts of the robots in comparison to the female stimuli, implying that non-human sexualized representations evoked a higher need for visual exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Szczuka
- Social Psychology: Media and Communication, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Nicole C Krämer
- Social Psychology: Media and Communication, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
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12
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Del Zotto M, Framorando D, Pegna AJ. Waist-to-hip ratio affects female body attractiveness and modulates early brain responses. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 52:4490-4498. [PMID: 30347463 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This investigation examined the electrophysiological response underlying the visual processing of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in female bodies, a characteristic known to affect perceived attractiveness. WHRs of female bodies were artificially adjusted to values of 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 or 0.9. Behavioural ratings of attractiveness of the bodies revealed a preference for WHRs of 0.7 in the overall group of participants, which included both male and female heterosexual individuals. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were then recorded while participants performed a selective attention task involving photographs of female models and scrambled images. Results showed that the P1 (80-120 ms) and N1 (130-170 ms) components situated over posterior brain regions were the earliest components to be modulated by attention and bodies. Interestingly, the vertex-positive potential, occurring between 120-180 ms, produced a greater positivity for WHRs of 0.7 compared to the other ratios. However, this increase was only observed when the body stimuli were attended, while no effect was observed for unattended bodies. These findings provide evidence of an early brain sensitivity to visual attributes that constitute secondary sexual characteristics. Although they are relatively discrete from the point of view of their physical quality, these signs possess strong behavioural significance, producing greater reported attractiveness, likely by conveying the biological meaning that signals good health and greater reproductive success. Our results therefore reveal that attributes associated with sexual attractiveness in female bodies are processed rapidly in the stream of visual processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Del Zotto
- Division of Medical Information Sciences, Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, CH-1211, Switzerland.,Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David Framorando
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alan J Pegna
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland.,School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
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13
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Abstract
The study of eye movements has become popular in many fields of science. However, using the preprocessed output of an eye tracker without scrutiny can lead to low-quality or even erroneous data. For example, the sampling rate of the eye tracker influences saccadic peak velocity, while inadequate filters fail to suppress noise or introduce artifacts. Despite previously published guiding values, most filter choices still seem motivated by a trial-and-error approach, and a thorough analysis of filter effects is missing. Therefore, we developed a simple and easy-to-use saccade model that incorporates measured amplitude-velocity main sequences and produces saccades with a similar frequency content to real saccades. We also derived a velocity divergence measure to rate deviations between velocity profiles. In total, we simulated 155 saccades ranging from 0.5° to 60° and subjected them to different sampling rates, noise compositions, and various filter settings. The final goal was to compile a list with the best filter settings for each of these conditions. Replicating previous findings, we observed reduced peak velocities at lower sampling rates. However, this effect was highly non-linear over amplitudes and increasingly stronger for smaller saccades. Interpolating the data to a higher sampling rate significantly reduced this effect. We hope that our model and the velocity divergence measure will be used to provide a quickly accessible ground truth without the need for recording and manually labeling saccades. The comprehensive list of filters allows one to choose the correct filter for analyzing saccade data without resorting to trial-and-error methods.
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14
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Electrophysiological evidence of perceived sexual attractiveness for human female bodies varying in waist-to-hip ratio. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2018; 17:577-591. [PMID: 28315140 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-017-0498-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The dynamics of brain activation reflecting attractiveness in humans are unclear. Among the different features affecting attractiveness of the female body, the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is considered to be crucial. To date, however, no event-related potential (ERP) study has addressed the question of its associated pattern of brain activation. We carried out two different experiments: (a) a behavioural study, to judge the level of attractiveness of female realistic models depicting 4 different WHRs (0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9) with and without clothes; (b) an EEG paradigm, to record brain activity while participants (heterosexual men and women) viewed these same models. Behavioural results showed that WHRs of 0.7 were considered more attractive than the others. ERP analyses revealed a different pattern of activation for male and female viewers. The 0.7 ratio elicited greater positivity at the P1 level in male viewers but not females. Naked bodies increased the N190 in both groups and peaked earlier for the 0.7 ratio in the male viewers. Finally, the late positive component (LPC) was found to be greater in male than in female viewers and was globally more marked for naked bodies as well as WHRs of 0.7 in both groups of viewers. These results provide the first electrophysiological evidence of specific time periods linked to the processing of a body feature denoting attractiveness and therefore playing a role in mate choice.
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15
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Smith JK, Liss M, Erchull MJ, Kelly CM, Adragna K, Baines K. The Relationship Between Sexualized Appearance and Perceptions of Women’s Competence and Electability. SEX ROLES 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11199-018-0898-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Motta-Mena NV, Puts DA. Endocrinology of human female sexuality, mating, and reproductive behavior. Horm Behav 2017; 91:19-35. [PMID: 27866819 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/12/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Hormones orchestrate and coordinate human female sexual development, sexuality, and reproduction in relation to three types of phenotypic changes: life history transitions such as puberty and childbirth, responses to contextual factors such as caloric intake and stress, and cyclical patterns such as the ovulatory cycle. Here, we review the endocrinology underlying women's reproductive phenotypes, including sexual orientation and gender identity, mate preferences, competition for mates, sex drive, and maternal behavior. We highlight distinctive aspects of women's sexuality such as the possession of sexual ornaments, relatively cryptic fertile windows, extended sexual behavior across the ovulatory cycle, and a period of midlife reproductive senescence-and we focus on how hormonal mechanisms were shaped by selection to produce adaptive outcomes. We conclude with suggestions for future research to elucidate how hormonal mechanisms subserve women's reproductive phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie V Motta-Mena
- Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - David A Puts
- Department of Anthropology, Center for Brain, Behavior, and Cognition, Center for Human Evolution and Diversity, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802¸ United States.
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17
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Pazhoohi F, Macedo AF, Arantes J. The Effect of Religious Clothing on Gaze Behavior: An Eye-Tracking Experiment. BASIC AND APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/01973533.2017.1307748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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18
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Blake KR, Dixson BJW, O'Dean SM, Denson TF. No compelling positive association between ovarian hormones and wearing red clothing when using multinomial analyses. Horm Behav 2017; 90:129-135. [PMID: 28315307 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Several studies report that wearing red clothing enhances women's attractiveness and signals sexual proceptivity to men. The associated hypothesis that women will choose to wear red clothing when fertility is highest, however, has received mixed support from empirical studies. One possible cause of these mixed findings may be methodological. The current study aimed to replicate recent findings suggesting a positive association between hormonal profiles associated with high fertility (high estradiol to progesterone ratios) and the likelihood of wearing red. We compared the effect of the estradiol to progesterone ratio on the probability of wearing: red versus non-red (binary logistic regression); red versus neutral, black, blue, green, orange, multi-color, and gray (multinomial logistic regression); and each of these same colors in separate binary models (e.g., green versus non-green). Red versus non-red analyses showed a positive trend between a high estradiol to progesterone ratio and wearing red, but the effect only arose for younger women and was not robust across samples. We found no compelling evidence for ovarian hormones increasing the probability of wearing red in the other analyses. However, we did find that the probability of wearing neutral was positively associated with the estradiol to progesterone ratio, though the effect did not reach conventional levels of statistical significance. Findings suggest that although ovarian hormones may affect younger women's preference for red clothing under some conditions, the effect is not robust when differentiating amongst other colors of clothing. In addition, the effect of ovarian hormones on clothing color preference may not be specific to the color red.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khandis R Blake
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Australia.
| | | | | | - Thomas F Denson
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Australia
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Groyecka A, Żelaźniewicz A, Misiak M, Karwowski M, Sorokowski P. Breast shape (ptosis) as a marker of a woman's breast attractiveness and age: Evidence from Poland and Papua. Am J Hum Biol 2017; 29. [DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.22981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Revised: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Agata Groyecka
- Institute of Psychology; University of Wroclaw; Wroclaw Poland
| | | | - Michał Misiak
- Institute of Psychology; University of Wroclaw; Wroclaw Poland
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Varella Valentova J, Bártová K, Štěrbová Z, Corrêa Varella MA. Influence of sexual orientation, population, homogamy, and imprinting-like effect on preferences and choices for female buttock size, breast size and shape, and WHR. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2016.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Wenzlaff F, Briken P, Dekker A. Video-Based Eye Tracking in Sex Research: A Systematic Literature Review. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2016; 53:1008-1019. [PMID: 26689496 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2015.1107524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Although eye tracking has been used for decades, it has gained popularity in the area of sex research only recently. The aim of this article is to examine the potential merits of eye tracking for this field. We present a systematic review of the current use of video-based eye-tracking technology in this area, evaluate the findings, and identify future research opportunities. A total of 34 relevant studies published between 2006 and 2014 were identified for inclusion by means of online databases and other methods. We grouped them into three main areas of research: body perception and attractiveness, forensic research, and sexual orientation. Despite the methodological and theoretical differences across the studies, eye tracking has been shown to be a promising tool for sex research. The article suggests there is much potential for further studies to employ this technique because it is noninvasive and yet still allows for the assessment of both conscious and unconscious perceptional processes. Furthermore, eye tracking can be implemented in investigations of various theoretical backgrounds, ranging from biology to the social sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederike Wenzlaff
- a Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry , University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Peer Briken
- a Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry , University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Arne Dekker
- a Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry , University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
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Garza R, Heredia RR, Cieslicka AB. Male and Female Perception of Physical Attractiveness. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY 2016; 14:1474704916631614. [PMCID: PMC10426851 DOI: 10.1177/1474704916631614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and breast size are morphological traits that are associated with female attractiveness. Previous studies using line drawings of women have shown that men across cultures rate low WHRs (0.6 and 0.7) as most attractive. In this study, we used additional viewing measurements (i.e., first fixation duration and visual regressions) to measure visual attention and record how long participants first focused on the female body and whether they regressed back to an area of interest. Additionally, we manipulated skin tone to determine whether they preferred light- or dark-skinned women. In two eye tracking experiments, participants rated the attractiveness of female nude images varying in WHR (0.5–0.9), breast size, and skin tone. We measured first fixation duration, gaze duration, and total time. The overall results of both studies revealed that visual attention fell mostly on the face, the breasts, and the midriff of the female body, supporting the evolutionary view that reproductively relevant regions of the female body are important to female attractiveness. Because the stimuli varied in skin tone and the participants were mainly Hispanic of Mexican American descent, the findings from these studies also support a preference for low WHRs and reproductively relevant regions of the female body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ray Garza
- Department of Psychology and Communication, Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX, USA
| | - Roberto R. Heredia
- Department of Psychology and Communication, Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX, USA
| | - Anna B. Cieslicka
- Department of Psychology and Communication, Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX, USA
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Dixson BJ, Duncan M, Dixson AF. The Role of Breast Size and Areolar Pigmentation in Perceptions of Women's Sexual Attractiveness, Reproductive Health, Sexual Maturity, Maternal Nurturing Abilities, and Age. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2015; 44:1685-95. [PMID: 25828990 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-015-0516-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Revised: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/01/2014] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Women's breast morphology is thought to have evolved via sexual selection as a signal of maturity, health, and fecundity. While research demonstrates that breast morphology is important in men's judgments of women's attractiveness, it remains to be determined how perceptions might differ when considering a larger suite of mate relevant attributes. Here, we tested how variation in breast size and areolar pigmentation affected perceptions of women's sexual attractiveness, reproductive health, sexual maturity, maternal nurturing abilities, and age. Participants (100 men; 100 women) rated images of female torsos modeled to vary in breast size (very small, small, medium, and large) and areolar pigmentation (light, medium, and dark) for each of the five attributes listed above. Sexual attractiveness ratings increased linearly with breast size, but large breasts were not judged to be significantly more attractive than medium-sized breasts. Small and medium-sized breasts were rated as most attractive if they included light or medium colored areolae, whereas large breasts were more attractive if they had medium or dark areolae. Ratings for perceived age, sexual maturity, and nurturing ability also increased with breast size. Darkening the areolae reduced ratings of the reproductive health of medium and small breasts, whereas it increased ratings for large breasts. There were no significant sex differences in ratings of any of the perceptual measures. These results demonstrate that breast size and areolar pigmentation interact to determine ratings for a suite of sociosexual attributes, each of which may be relevant to mate choice in men and intra-sexual competition in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnaby J Dixson
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia,
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Cloud JM, Perilloux C. “Drawing” Conclusions About Perceptions of Ideal Male and Female Body Shapes. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s40806-015-0020-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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27
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Bodily Attractiveness as a Window to Women’s Fertility and Reproductive Value. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0314-6_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
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Trottier D, Rouleau JL, Renaud P, Goyette M. Using eye tracking to identify faking attempts during penile plethysmography assessment. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2013; 51:946-955. [PMID: 24308829 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2013.832133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Penile plethysmography (PPG) is considered the most rigorous method for sexual interest assessment. Nevertheless, it is subject to faking attempts by participants, which compromises the internal validity of the instrument. To date, various attempts have been made to limit voluntary control of sexual response during PPG assessments, without satisfactory results. This exploratory research examined eye-tracking technologies' ability to identify the presence of cognitive strategies responsible for erectile inhibition during PPG assessment. Eye movements and penile responses for 20 subjects were recorded while exploring animated human-like computer-generated stimuli in a virtual environment under three distinct viewing conditions: (a) the free visual exploration of a preferred sexual stimulus without erectile inhibition; (b) the viewing of a preferred sexual stimulus with erectile inhibition; and (c) the free visual exploration of a non-preferred sexual stimulus. Results suggest that attempts to control erectile responses generate specific eye-movement variations, characterized by a general deceleration of the exploration process and limited exploration of the erogenous zone. Findings indicate that recording eye movements can provide significant information on the presence of competing covert processes responsible for erectile inhibition. The use of eye-tracking technologies during PPG could therefore lead to improved internal validity of the plethysmographic procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Trottier
- a Department of Psychoeducation and Psychology , Université du Québec en Outaouais
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Renaud P, Trottier D, Nolet K, Rouleau JL, Goyette M, Bouchard S. Sexual self-regulation and cognitive absorption as factors of sexual response toward virtual characters. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2013; 17:241-7. [PMID: 24106978 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2013.0165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The eye movements and penile responses of 20 male participants were recorded while they were immersed with virtual sexual stimuli. These participants were divided into two groups according to their capacity to focus their attention in immersion (high and low focus). In order to understand sexual self-regulation better, we subjected participants to three experimental conditions: (a) immersion with a preferred sexual stimulus, without sexual inhibition; (b) immersion with a preferred sexual stimulus, with sexual inhibition; and (c) immersion with a neutral stimulus. A significant difference was observed between the effects of each condition on erectile response and scanpath. The groups differed on self-regulation of their erectile responses and on their scanpath patterns. High focus participants had more difficulties than low focus participants with inhibiting their sexual responses and displayed less scattered eye movement trajectories over the critical areas of the virtual sexual stimuli. Results are interpreted in terms of sexual self-regulation and cognitive absorption in virtual immersion. In addition, the use of validated virtual sexual stimuli is presented as a methodological improvement over static and moving pictures, since it paves the way for the study of the role of social interaction in an ecologically valid and well-controlled way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrice Renaud
- 1 Département de psychoéducation et de psychologie, Université du Québec en Outaouais , Montreal, Canada
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Stewart-Williams S, Thomas AG. The Ape That Thought It Was a Peacock: Does Evolutionary Psychology Exaggerate Human Sex Differences? PSYCHOLOGICAL INQUIRY 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/1047840x.2013.804899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Kościński K. Attractiveness of women’s body: body mass index, waist–hip ratio, and their relative importance. Behav Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/art016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Verweij KJH, Burri AV, Zietsch BP. Evidence for genetic variation in human mate preferences for sexually dimorphic physical traits. PLoS One 2012; 7:e49294. [PMID: 23166631 PMCID: PMC3498105 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2012] [Accepted: 10/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Intersexual selection has been proposed as an important force in shaping a number of morphological traits that differ between human populations and/or between the sexes. Important to these accounts is the source of mate preferences for such traits, but this has not been investigated. In a large sample of twins, we assess forced-choice, dichotomous mate preferences for height, skin colour, hair colour and length, chest hair, facial hair, and breast size. Across the traits, identical twins reported more similar preferences than nonidentical twins, suggesting genetic effects. However, the relative magnitude of estimated genetic and environmental effects differed greatly and significantly between different trait preferences, with heritability estimates ranging from zero to 57%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin J. H. Verweij
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrea V. Burri
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, St. Thomas’ Hospital, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Brendan P. Zietsch
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Buggio L, Vercellini P, Somigliana E, Viganò P, Frattaruolo MP, Fedele L. "You are so beautiful"*: behind women's attractiveness towards the biology of reproduction: a narrative review. Gynecol Endocrinol 2012; 28:753-7. [PMID: 22394274 DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2012.662545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Female beauty has always attracted human beings. In particular, beauty has been interpreted in terms of reproductive potential and advantage in selection of mates. We have reviewed the recent literature on female facial and physical beauty with the objective of defining which parameters could influence female attractiveness. Symmetry, averageness, and sexual dimorphism with regards to facial beauty, as well as waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), breast size, and body mass index (BMI) for physical beauty, have been assessed. In current societies, it appears that facial attractiveness results from a mixture of symmetry and averageness of traits, high forehead and cheekbones, small nose and chin, full lips, thin eyebrows, and thick hair. A low WHR reliably characterized physical attractiveness, whereas inconsistencies have been observed in the evaluation of breast size and BMI. The importance of breast size appears to vary with time and sex of evaluators, whereas the impact of BMI is related to socio-economic conditions. The various hypotheses behind beauty and the role of attractiveness in mate choice and sexual selection are here described in terms of continuation of human species. Intriguing associations are emerging between features of attractiveness and some reproductive disorders, as both are substantially influenced by sex steroid hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Buggio
- Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Istituto Luigi Mangiagalli, Università degli Studi, and Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Fromberger P, Jordan K, von Herder J, Steinkrauss H, Nemetschek R, Stolpmann G, Müller JL. Initial orienting towards sexually relevant stimuli: preliminary evidence from eye movement measures. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2012; 41:919-928. [PMID: 21792688 PMCID: PMC3394233 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-011-9816-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2010] [Revised: 12/23/2010] [Accepted: 04/17/2011] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
It has been proposed that sexual stimuli will be processed in a comparable manner to other evolutionarily meaningful stimuli (such as spiders or snakes) and therefore elicit an attentional bias and more attentional engagement (Spiering and Everaerd, In E. Janssen (Ed.), The psychophysiology of sex (pp. 166-183). Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2007). To investigate early and late attentional processes while looking at sexual stimuli, heterosexual men (n = 12) viewed pairs of sexually preferred (images of women) and sexually non-preferred images (images of girls, boys or men), while eye movements were measured. Early attentional processing (initial orienting) was assessed by the number of first fixations and late attentional processing (maintenance of attention) was assessed by relative fixation time. Results showed that relative fixation time was significantly longer for sexually preferred stimuli than for sexually non-preferred stimuli. Furthermore, the first fixation was more often directed towards the preferred sexual stimulus, when simultaneously presented with a non-sexually preferred stimulus. Thus, the current study showed for the first time an attentional bias to sexually relevant stimuli when presented simultaneously with sexually irrelevant pictures. This finding, along with the discovery that heterosexual men maintained their attention to sexually relevant stimuli, highlights the importance of investigating early and late attentional processes while viewing sexual stimuli. Furthermore, the current study showed that sexually relevant stimuli are favored by the human attentional system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Fromberger
- Department for Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Georg-August-University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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Dagnino B, Navajas J, Sigman M. Eye fixations indicate men's preference for female breasts or buttocks. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2012; 41:929-937. [PMID: 22552704 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-012-9945-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2010] [Revised: 12/15/2011] [Accepted: 12/30/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Evolutionary psychologists have been interested in male preferences for particular female traits that are thought to signal health and reproductive potential. While the majority of studies have focused on what makes specific body traits attractive-such as the waist-to-hip ratio, the body mass index, and breasts shape and size-there is little empirical research that has examined individual differences in male preferences for specific traits (e.g., favoring breasts over buttocks). The current study begins to fill this empirical gap. In the first experiment (Study 1), 184 male participants were asked to report their preference between breasts and buttocks on a continuous scale. We found that (1) the distribution of preference was bimodal, indicating that Argentinean males tended to define themselves as favoring breasts or buttocks but rarely thinking that these traits contributed equally to their choice and (2) the distribution was biased towards buttocks. In a second experiment (Study 2), 19 male participants were asked to rate pictures of female breasts and buttocks. This study was necessary to generate three categories of pictures with statistically different ratings (high, medium, and low). In a third experiment (Study 3), we recorded eye-movements of 25 male participants while they chose the more attractive between two women, only seeing their breasts and buttock. We found that the first and last fixations were systematically directed towards the self-reported preferred trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Dagnino
- Department of Physics, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Fromberger P, Jordan K, Steinkrauss H, von Herder J, Witzel J, Stolpmann G, Kröner-Herwig B, Müller JL. Diagnostic accuracy of eye movements in assessing pedophilia. J Sex Med 2012; 9:1868-82. [PMID: 22548761 DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02754.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Given that recurrent sexual interest in prepubescent children is one of the strongest single predictors for pedosexual offense recidivism, valid and reliable diagnosis of pedophilia is of particular importance. Nevertheless, current assessment methods still fail to fulfill psychometric quality criteria. AIMS The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of eye-movement parameters in regard to pedophilic sexual preferences. METHOD Eye movements were measured while 22 pedophiles (according to ICD-10 F65.4 diagnosis), 8 non-pedophilic forensic controls, and 52 healthy controls simultaneously viewed the picture of a child and the picture of an adult. Fixation latency was assessed as a parameter for automatic attentional processes and relative fixation time to account for controlled attentional processes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses, which are based on calculated age-preference indices, were carried out to determine the classifier performance. Cross-validation using the leave-one-out method was used to test the validity of classifiers. RESULTS Pedophiles showed significantly shorter fixation latencies and significantly longer relative fixation times for child stimuli than either of the control groups. Classifier performance analysis revealed an area under the curve (AUC) = 0.902 for fixation latency and an AUC = 0.828 for relative fixation time. The eye-tracking method based on fixation latency discriminated between pedophiles and non-pedophiles with a sensitivity of 86.4% and a specificity of 90.0%. Cross-validation demonstrated good validity of eye-movement parameters. CONCLUSIONS Despite some methodological limitations, measuring eye movements seems to be a promising approach to assess deviant pedophilic interests. Eye movements, which represent automatic attentional processes, demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Fromberger
- Department for Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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Kościński K. Mere visual experience impacts preference for body shape: evidence from male competitive swimmers. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2011.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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