|
HEALTH, BEAUTY AND SEX APPEAL Masculine men 'are healthier' Men who sport chiseled jaws and classic "masculine" facial features are actually healthier than their less manly peers, researchers suggest. And women who choose them may do so because they are instinctively looking for a healthier mate, they say. However, Australian researchers found that although adolescent males with more masculine faces had better health, they were not necessarily seen as more attractive. So it may be that women are, deep down, aiming to attract the healthiest, rather than the most attractive, father for their children. Femininity in teenage girls' faces is perceived as a sign of being healthy and attractive, but there was no link with how healthy they actually were. The theory that masculine faces in men may be seen as "healthier" is connected to the effect of testosterone on the immune system. The hormone suppresses the body's defense system, so the theory is that those men who have strong masculine characteristics must be in good health in order to withstand testosterone's effect on their immune system. Women could therefore improve the chances of children being healthy by choosing a more masculine "healthy" mate. The relationship between female hormones and health is less clear, so men may not use female facial appearance as a sign of health. Rating appearance: Researchers from the University of Western Australia showed 37 students over 300 photos of male and female faces, taken in the US between 1920 and 1929. Hairstyles were blocked out so students could concentrate on facial characteristics. They were asked to rate the male faces for masculinity and female faces for femininity. The researchers then used data on the photographic subjects' actual health in adolescence. Writing in Biological Sciences, a journal of the Royal Society, the research team led by Dr Gillian Rhodes, said: "Masculinity correlated modestly, but significantly, with actual health during adolescence. "Masculinity was also perceived as healthy, suggesting that people correctly interpret masculine traits as signs of health." Right name 'improves sex appeal' Kylie Minogue and Chris Moyles both have sexy names ... The difference between who is sexy and who is not may all be in their name. The most important factor is the type of vowel sound within a person's name, research by Massachusetts Institute of Technology suggested. Men with a "front vowel" sound made at the front of the mouth, such as "a" in Matt, were most attractive to women. Those with a "back vowel" sound, such as "aw" in Paul or George, were less sexy, New Scientist magazine said. In women, the situation is reversed.
|
Hot or not? Men were more attracted to those with back vowel sounds in their names, such as Jordan, Rachel, or Kylie. IS YOUR NAME SEXY OR UNSEXY?
Women with front vowel sounds, such as Kate, Emma or Elizabeth were considered less attractive. The study was carried out by linguist Amy Perfors, who posted photographs of men and women on the "Hot or Not?" website, which invites viewers to rate strangers' attractiveness. Each photo was posted at different times, with different names, to see what difference this would make to their attractiveness ratings. While most scientists believe there is no inherent relationship between the sound of a word and its meaning, Perfors believes there is some evidence to the contrary. She says front vowel sounds are often perceived as "smaller" than back vowel sounds, so the difference could be that women were seeking "sensitive" or "gentle" men - traits often considered "feminine".
While most scientists believe there is no inherent relationship between the sound of a word and its meaning, Perfors believes there is some evidence to the contrary. She says front vowel sounds are often perceived as "smaller" than back vowel sounds, so the difference could be that women were seeking "sensitive" or "gentle" men - traits often considered "feminine".
Other studies have also shown men with slightly feminine characteristics to be attractive to women. But men thinking of switching to more feminine names to approve their luck with the ladies should beware - men with women's names were ranked least attractive of all. Having a man's name, such as Bob, had no negative effects on women's attractiveness ratings. IS YOUR NAME WORKING FOR YOU OR AGAINST YOU? Find out on the next page. CONTINUES ON P18 |
...But
Nicole Kidman does not, according to US researchers.