There are many aspects of individuals that make them attractive or unattractive to others. Similarity of values, beliefs, needs, and personality, in addition to physical attractiveness are among some of the most common attractive features (Woodall, Burgoon, & Markel, 1980). However upon first meeting, especially in public settings, there is often little self-disclosure between individuals. Initial impressions made here cause individuals to form expectations of future encounters, and thus affect the nature of subsequent social interactions (Riggio & Friedman, 1985). Research has examined aspects of attraction in the preferred sex (Feinman & Gill, 1977) which suggests that males find light colored hair and eyes most attractive in females. Conversely, they found that females prefer dark hair and dark eyes in men (Feinman & Gill, 1977). Because the face is the primary focus during interpersonal communication (Riggio & Friedman, 1985), we were led to wonder whether the type of smile a person exhibited would influence attraction in the opposite or preferred sex.
The eyes are the primary facial region that shows differences between genuine and forced smiles (Frank, Ekman, & Friesen, 1982). Based on this study, and on facial behavior studies done by French anatomist G.B. Duchenne, two main muscle groups illustrate the distinction between genuine and non-genuine smiles. Forced or posed smiles activate the zygomatic major, the muscle primarily in control of the cheeks, whereas genuine smiles are said to also cause a contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle which surrounds the eye (Boraston, Corden, Miles, Skuse, & Blakemore, 2007). Furthermore, the outer part of the orbicularis oculi, which causes the skin outside the eye to wr...
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...male participants found men in red shirts significantly more attractive than the same men in white shirts. Furthermore, when asked, participants of the study reported that they did not know the nature or purpose of the experiment, which suggests that color has the power to influence opinions on an unconscious level. A similar study showed that red, as the color of sex and romance, enhanced the attractiveness of women (Elliot & Niesta, 2008). Males in this study rated women in red higher on perceived physical attractiveness and sexual attraction, which includes both initial attraction and potential romantic interest.
Our research aims to explore the effects of smile type and background color on attraction. Based on available research and theories, we hypothesize that models with genuine smiles and red backgrounds will be perceived and rated as more attractive.
There is a famous saying that states, “ we should not judge a book by its cover”, but oftentimes the first thing noticed on a person is their looks. One’s “physical beauty” strongly influences people’s first impressions of them. As a whole, we tend to assume that pretty people are more likeable and better people than those who are unattractive. Around the world, we believe that what is beautiful is good. There is a general consensus within a culture about what is considered physically appealing and beautiful. “Physical beauty” is associated with being more sociable, intelligent, and even socially skilled. Society shares this common notion of who has and who does not have “physical beauty”. Thus, “physical beauty”, as seen
To test the romantic red effect, Elliot et al conducted five experiments. For experiment 3, the researchers conducted a self-report study where participants reported their level of attraction using a rating scale. The researchers operationalized the independent variable of the red and gray conditions as changing the background colors behind female photos and operationalized the dependent variable of attraction as the participant’s rating of the women. The result of experiment 3 was that men viewed women as more attractive on a red background than a
That is, inferences about individual traits could be drawn form situational facial expressions, on the basis of what those facial expressions mean within the domain of gendered stereotypes. To test this plausible theory, Hack recruited 138 undergraduate students. Each pupil was to complete a questionnaire assessing gender stereotype endorsement, subsequent to an impression task: where smiling and non-smiling faces were rated in terms of personality traits relative to warmth and competence. Credibly, traits selected to assess warmth and competence had been plucked from a successful pilot study and strategies to counteract demand characteristics were
What’s behind a woman’s smile? Amy Cunningham analyzes the intentions behind a woman’s smile in her essay “Why Women Smile.” An individual’s facial expressions tell a lot about them and how they’re feeling, what they’re thinking, or what their personality is like. Culture has played a huge role in shaping individuals into what they believe, what they should like or don’t like, how things should – basically what’s “normal”. In the Western culture, smiling is prevalent; it has become a necessary factor in “quickly winning friends and influencing people,” as Cunningham states. As supported with the following example:
In a growing world, relying on education and intelligence, judgments in a social environment are still continuously based off of appearance. A study of the importance of outer looks was produced through a TV game show. Contestants fought to answer questions correctly to improve their personal score. At the end of the game, the player with the highest score was asked to eliminate a team member. Although many times an unattractive player would have higher scores and could be more beneficial than another teammate, only 27% of unattractive members were chosen to advance to the next round (Belot, Bhaskar, and van de Ven 852-853). When society overlooks qualities and characteristics of high value for looks, discrimination conquers.
Rinn, William E. (1984). "The Neuropsychology of Facial Expression: A Review of the Neurological and Psychological Mechanisms for Producing Facial Expressions". Psychological Bulletin (American Psychological Association, Inc.) 95 (1): 52–77.
...alth. Males tend to have greater physiological health than those who have asymmetrical facial features (Manning, 1995). A study conducted by Grammer and Thornhill (1994) found that facial symmetry signalled health in males faces. However Shackelford and Larsen (1997)found a few significant negative links of facial symmetry with psychological, emotional and physiological health variables, but these findings did not replicate over their two samples. Also both males and females who have symmetrical facial features are rated as more physically attractive than those asymmetric individuals (Grammer &Thornhill, 1994). Many studies conducted on attractiveness using software such as image manipulation techniques, have found preference for faces that were changed to be more symmetrical (Little, Burt, Penton-Voak, &Perrett, 2001). In these studies only facial symmetry was
In her essay, “Why Women Smile,” Amy Cunningham discusses women’s smile in society. Cunningham states because of the pressure and gender expectations placed on women in modern society, women have to use false emotions and smiles to portray this preferred archetype. The purpose of the essay is to argue whether a woman’s smile should truly her own, to be smiled or not, according to hoe the women felt, rather than according to what someone else needed. She explains the evolution about women’s smile from 15th century Italy to America today, and also some research by psychologists and psychiatrists related the topic of smile. Amy Cunningham has been a magazine writer for 30 years, a website editor, producer, and blogger since 2003. She has lots
Don’t judge a book by its cover. Meeting someone for the first time is much different than knowing them for a while. Firstly, people tend to notice appearance before all other characteristics even become a thought. Today, appearance plays a major role in the way people perceive us. One’s image, nowadays, is becoming increasingly more important to others, rather than personality or intelligence. This may be the case because modern society is greatly influenced by one’s beauty. Style and facial structure are the first things a majority of people take note upon when encountering others. This “silent judgement” of others becomes a main factor into why people, especially women, put so much thought into their
According to an MSNBC survey, 53% of single people find a great smile to be the most attractive feature in a potential mate. Another percentage of single people surveyed that flattery is the best was to attract someone (Dating/Relationship Statistics). Psychologists at the University of Pennsylvania studied data from over 10,000 speed daters and found that most people make a decision regarding a person’s attraction within three seconds of meeting (Penn New ).
In the popular press article titled “The Science of Dating: Wear Red” Professor Andrew Elliot makes the claim that the reason the color red increases attraction in human males towards females is due to biological impulses and cultural influences (Luscombe, 2010). The professor makes the claim that societal use of red to symbolize sexuality, lust and passion influences how we perceive the color. Additionally, Professor Andrew claims that primal biological impulses influence how we perceive the color due to the fact that from an evolutionary perspective, a red rear end symbolizes that the female is in heat (Luscombe, 2010. After reading the original scientific article, which the popular press article was based on, I choose to reject the claim that the
Elliot, Andrew J., Jessica L. Tracy, Adam D. Pazda, and Alec T. Bealll. "Red Enhances Women's Attractiveness to Men: First Evidence Suggesting Universality." Journal of Experimental Social Psychology (2013): n. pag. Web. 09 Mar. 2014.
A common phrase used about the eyes is that, “the eyes are the window to the soul.” This phrase is not necessarily true; however, it gives a good perspective on how people use eyes to judge a person’s character. First of all, eye contact is a great communication tool and can be used effectively in social situation. Second, a teacher can use eye contact to help their interaction with students. Third, employers want a future employee to have good eye contact to know that the employee is listening and will understand the job they are asked to perform. Eye contact is important and can determine a person’s true thoughts and opinions. The use of eye contact in socializing is important.
When one sees someone that is, in one’s mind, extremely attractive, they want to continue to look at the attractive person, face, body, etc. According to a popular press article, human beings “apparently seek out the more attractive people because our brains give us a pat on the proverbial back when we lock eyes with” someone with a more aesthetically pleasing face (Lucas, 2014). One likes to continue looking at that person, face, body, etc. because one’s brain makes one feel better about viewing that person’s attractive face, body, etc.
Good physical appearance helps in building up flexible relationships. For example women who take care of their physical appearance manage to have a better relatio...