Sexual attractionThis article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality.See Wikipedia:How to edit a page and Category:Wikipedia help for help, or this article's talk page. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Physical attractiveness. (Discuss) Sexual attraction, in species which reproduce sexually, is 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 serves no immediate reproductive goal. Sexual attraction in animalsSexual attractiveness in non-human animals depends on a wide variety of factors. Often, there is some element of the animal's body which exists for sexual attraction, like the bright plumage and crests of some species of birds. In many species, there are behaviours which appear to be sexual display. Some of these attributes seem to exist solely to demonstrate fitness and health, for example by demonstrating the ability to sustain an "expensive" feature with no other apparent survival function. Conversely, the receiving sex may be predisposed to perceive these features as sexual attraction. It is possible that these features by the giving or the receiving ends cause major survival problems (see game theory), especially where, as in moose, a direct competitive element is involved. Frequently (especially in insects) chemical signals are used to generate sexual interest and to locate potential mates. These signals, known as pheromones, can produce a profound effect upon an animal's behaviour even when present in very minute quantities. Common elements of sexual attraction in humansTypically, 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 history. Because human social behavior is often highly complex, a sexual relationship may entail one which, at its beginning, has little or no sexual behavior, and only after a period of time, which can be a courtship period, or a threshold such as marriage, does sexual activity enter the interaction patterns. Certain aspects of what is sexually attractive is universally agreed upon across the human species, or nearly universal among particular cultures or regions, while other factors are determined more locally, among sub-cultures, or simply to the preferences of the individual, which may come about as a result of a variety of genetic and psychological factors. Sexual attractiveness of a person to another person depends on both persons; Much of human sexual attractiveness is governed by physical attractiveness. This involves the senses, in the beginning especially:
Some studies suggest that one source of physical attraction of a human male to a human female is dependent upon a proportion between the width of the hips and the width of the waist (aka waist-hip ratio) (see Golden ratio). (disputed — see talk page) As with other animals, pheromones may also enter into the picture, though less significantly than in the case of other animals. Theoretically, the "wrong" pheromone smell 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:
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. Factors determining sexual attraction to human femalesA youthful, or neotenic, appearance is a notable factor governing the degree to which a female individual is regarded as sexually attractive. In Western societies, various cultural features may reflect the preference for neotenic female partners; many are dated to antiquity. These include depilatory practices (acomoclitism: intentional hair removal for visual and other effects) and a preference for light or blonde hair [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 making a nose that is too big smaller via rhinoplasty, or making breasts larger via breast implants. One idea of physical beauty regarding the breasts of women is that the best shape approaches the shape of a three dimensional parabola (which is called a Paraboloid of revolution) as opposed to a hyperbola, or a sphere. Conversely, the shape of the buttocks of an attractive person (male or female) tends to resemble the shape of a cardioid, which is the inverse transform of a parabola. 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 continuous health of an individual. Another indication of 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 20th century. Toenails also feature as a component of sexual attractiveness to some degree. Healthy-looking skin is also considered a beauty trait. Weight, whether tending toward thinner or heavier, has sometimes been considered a physical factor governing attractiveness of both genders (typically women), but there is some debate suggesting that this is actually a social factor indicating desirability. In some cultures, both historically and in the present day, a female with greater than average weight has been seen as sexually attractive. However, this cannot be solely because fat deposits provide the energy needed for developing a healthy fetus, as in other cultures, women so thin as to stand a high risk of miscarriage are considered attractive. Rather, weight is a visible indicator of social status and wealth; in some societies, only the rich can afford to be fat, while in others, only the rich can afford liposuction and personal trainers, or have meaningful employment that promotes healthy diet and exercise habits. Therefore weight is at least partially an indicator of social status, which is itself sexually desirable to many. It may also merely be that, as it is unhealthy to be too fat, this can be seen as unattractive. Factors determining sexual attraction to human malesIt is thought that sexual attraction to a man by a woman, is somewhat determined by the height [citation needed] of the man. For the woman, the man should be at least a few percent taller than her in order to be perceived as handsome. In European populations the average height of males is about 175 cm whereas the average height of females is about 165 cm - a 6% difference. It would be preferable if the man is at least a little above the average in height in the given population of males. Among heterosexuals, the initial attraction usually begins with the physical features of the human form and attire. Those who believe that the muscular contour of a male is attractive, will choose other males with well-defined muscles. Males who make use of their hormone testosterone through exercise or bodybuilding techniques find themselves 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 characterisation 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 aspectsMany 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. 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Often the result of a sexual attraction is sexual arousal. There is actually no difference in the meaning, but the first name is more influenced by the dialects of Lower Germany while the second one is the Higher German version. The degree to which such fetishism exists or has existed in different cultures is controversial. The original German names are different: Schneewittchen (the Princess) and Schneeweißchen (together with Rosenrot). Many people exhibit high levels of sexual fetishism, and are sexually aroused by other stimuli not normally associated with sexual arousal. For more information about the other Snow White, see the Snow-White and Rose-Red article. The causal mechanism for this oscillation has not been established but differences in the simultaneous characterisation 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. However this Snow White is a completely separate character from the one found in this tale. 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. There is another Brothers Grimm tale called Snow-White and Rose-Red which also includes a character called Snow White. 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. There are few other things that differ from the original story, such as Count Oga (villainous henchman of the evil queen), magic sword that transports the Stooges to various places and a carriage chase scene. Males who make use of their hormone testosterone through exercise or bodybuilding techniques find themselves attractive as their muscles take shape. The film is a musical and features many ice skating scenes. Those who believe that the muscular contour of a male is attractive, will choose other males with well-defined muscles. This man ends up marrying Snow White, played by real life figure skating champion, Carol Heiss. Among heterosexuals, the initial attraction usually begins with the physical features of the human form and attire. He is only shown as a boy in a flasback segment. It would be preferable if the man is at least a little above the average in height in the given population of males. The boy suffers amnesia and the Stooges "adopt" him and raise him to manhood. In European populations the average height of males is about 175 cm whereas the average height of females is about 165 cm - a 6% difference. The 3 are traveling entertainers, along with a young man who was born a prince, but lost his memory in a kidnapping attempt that was thwarted by the Stooges. For the woman, the man should be at least a few percent taller than her in order to be perceived as handsome. In the film, the dwarfs had gone on vacation and lent Moe, Larry and Curly Joe the use their cottage. It is thought that sexual attraction to a man by a woman, is somewhat determined by the height [citation needed] of the man. This film is widely regarded by fans of the Three Stooges as their worst feature film. It may also merely be that, as it is unhealthy to be too fat, this can be seen as unattractive. In 1961 the story was paradied in the film "Snow White and The Three Stooges", starring Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Joe "Curly-Joe" DeRita. Therefore weight is at least partially an indicator of social status, which is itself sexually desirable to many. The story was very loosely adapted by Mercedes Lackey into her Elemental Masters novel The Serpent's Shadow, turning the main character into the Eurasian Doctor Maya Witherspoon, who must suffer the multiple stigmas of being a medically-qualified half-caste female (in other words, most of her problems stem from being not white) in turn-of-the-century London; the seven dwarves are transformed into animal avatars of various benign Hindu deities. Rather, weight is a visible indicator of social status and wealth; in some societies, only the rich can afford to be fat, while in others, only the rich can afford liposuction and personal trainers, or have meaningful employment that promotes healthy diet and exercise habits. Due to Prince Charming replacing Old King Cole as mayor, as well as her giving birth to the (mostly) non-human-appearing children of Bigby (the Big Bad Wolf), she moved from the New York City Fabletown to the "Farm" upstate, where non-human-appearing Fables must live. However, this cannot be solely because fat deposits provide the energy needed for developing a healthy fetus, as in other cultures, women so thin as to stand a high risk of miscarriage are considered attractive. She was assistant mayor of Fabletown for many years, succeeding to the post after Ichabod Crane was fired for sexually harassing her. In some cultures, both historically and in the present day, a female with greater than average weight has been seen as sexually attractive. As presented there, she is an amalgam of the two characters that share this name---she is very touchy about her adventures with the dwarfs, is the first ex-wife of Prince Charming, and has a sister named Rose Red from whom she was estranged for some time. Weight, whether tending toward thinner or heavier, has sometimes been considered a physical factor governing attractiveness of both genders (typically women), but there is some debate suggesting that this is actually a social factor indicating desirability. Snow White is an important character in the Fables comic book. Healthy-looking skin is also considered a beauty trait. That version is distinctly parodied in Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs. Toenails also feature as a component of sexual attractiveness to some degree. In the Disney version, Snow White wakes from her enchanted sleep as soon as the Prince kisses her, similar to Sleeping Beauty. The preference for this effect has resulted in the fact that artificial nails and manicures have grown extensively popular for women beginning in the 20th century. A 1933 Betty Boop cartoon, Snow-White, was adapted from this story, as was the famous 1937 Disney animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Another indication of health of an individual is the ability to grow long, strong, healthy-looking fingernails. The film starred Marguerite Clark as Snow White, Creighton Hale as Prince Florimond and Dorothy Cumming as Queen Brangomar/Mary Jane. Often, women with long hair are thought to appear more beautiful, as the ability to grow long, healthy looking hair is an indication of continuous health of an individual. Searle Dawley, it was adapted to the screen by Jessie Graham White from his play Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The appearance of health also plays a part in physical attraction. Directed by J. 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. A 1916 silent film with the title Snow White was made by Famous Players-Lasky Corporation and produced by Adolph Zukor and Daniel Frohman. 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 story in Russian writer Alexander Pushkin's 1833 poem The Tale of the Dead Princess and the Seven Knights is similar to that of Snow White, with knights replacing dwarves. 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. She is then forced to step into the red-hot shoes and dance until she falls down dead. Conversely, the shape of the buttocks of an attractive person (male or female) tends to resemble the shape of a cardioid, which is the inverse transform of a parabola. As punishment for her wicked ways, a pair of heated iron shoes are brought forth with tongs and placed before the Queen. One idea of physical beauty regarding the breasts of women is that the best shape approaches the shape of a three dimensional parabola (which is called a Paraboloid of revolution) as opposed to a hyperbola, or a sphere. Not knowing that this new queen is indeed her stepdaughter, she arrives at the wedding, and her heart fills with the deepest of dread when she realizes the truth. It is typical for a plastic surgeon to correct a perceived error of proportion, such as making a nose that is too big smaller via rhinoplasty, or making breasts larger via breast implants. But the young queen is a thousand times fairer than you.". A strong aspect to sexual attraction is proportion. The vain Queen, still believing that Snow White is dead, again asks her mirror who is fairest in the land and yet again the mirror disappoints by responding that "You, my queen, are fair; it is true. These include depilatory practices (acomoclitism: intentional hair removal for visual and other effects) and a preference for light or blonde hair [1]. The Prince takes a revived Snow White away, and the film ends.). In Western societies, various cultural features may reflect the preference for neotenic female partners; many are dated to antiquity. (In the Disney version, the cure for this deep sleep was love's first kiss. A youthful, or neotenic, appearance is a notable factor governing the degree to which a female individual is regarded as sexually attractive. The prince then declares his love and soon a wedding is planned. There may sometimes be a focus on particular features of the body, such as breasts, legs, hair, or musculature. The prince and his men carry the coffin away, but as they go they stumble, the coffin jerks and the piece of poison apple flies out of Snow White's mouth, awakening her. However, these factors are complicated by many other factors. He begs the dwarfs to let him have the coffin. A sexually attractive visual appearance in humans generally involves:. The prince is enchanted by her beauty and instantly falls in love with her. The importance of pheromones in human relationships is probably limited and widely disputed, although it appears to have some scientific basis. Time passes, and a prince travels through the land and sees Snow White in her coffin. 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 Disney version only adopts the poison apple plot, and the queen meets her demise as she is chased by the dwarves.). Theoretically, the "wrong" pheromone smell may cause someone to be disliked, even when they would otherwise appear attractive. When the dwarfs find her, they cannot revive her; and so they mourn and place her in a glass coffin, thinking that she has died. As with other animals, pheromones may also enter into the picture, though less significantly than in the case of other animals. She eats the apple eagerly and immediately falls into a deep, magical sleep. (disputed — see talk page). She is hesitant, so the Queen cuts the apple in half, eats the white part -- which has no poison -- and gives the poisoned red part to Snow White. Some studies suggest that one source of physical attraction of a human male to a human female is dependent upon a proportion between the width of the hips and the width of the waist (aka waist-hip ratio) (see Golden ratio). Lastly the Queen makes a poison apple, and in the guise of a country woman offers it to Snow White. This involves the senses, in the beginning especially:. Snow White again collapses, and again the dwarves save her. Much of human sexual attractiveness is governed by physical attractiveness. Next the Queen dressed as a different old woman combs her hair with a poisoned comb. Sexual attractiveness of a person to another person depends on both persons;. Snow White is revived by the dwarves when they loosen the laces. Certain aspects of what is sexually attractive is universally agreed upon across the human species, or nearly universal among particular cultures or regions, while other factors are determined more locally, among sub-cultures, or simply to the preferences of the individual, which may come about as a result of a variety of genetic and psychological factors. First, disguised as a peddler, the Queen offers colorful stay-laces and laces Snow White up so tight she faints and the Queen takes her for dead. Because human social behavior is often highly complex, a sexual relationship may entail one which, at its beginning, has little or no sexual behavior, and only after a period of time, which can be a courtship period, or a threshold such as marriage, does sexual activity enter the interaction patterns. Three times the Queen disguises herself and visits the dwarves' cottage where Snow White is staying to try to kill her. The concrete meaning of a sexual relationship differs across cultures and history. Meanwhile, the Queen asks her mirror once again, "Who's the fairest of them all?", and is horrified when the mirror tells her that Snow White, who is alive and well and living with the dwarfs, is still the fairest of them all. Typically, sexual attraction refers to a person being drawn to another in order to have a sexual relationship. Snow White discovers a tiny cottage in the forest, belonging to seven dwarfs, where she rests. These signals, known as pheromones, can produce a profound effect upon an animal's behaviour even when present in very minute quantities. (In the Disney movie, these are replaced by a heart.). Frequently (especially in insects) chemical signals are used to generate sexual interest and to locate potential mates. Instead, he lets her go, and brings the queen the lungs and liver of a wild boar. It is possible that these features by the giving or the receiving ends cause major survival problems (see game theory), especially where, as in moose, a direct competitive element is involved. The huntsman takes Snow White into the forest, but finds himself unable to kill the girl. Conversely, the receiving sex may be predisposed to perceive these features as sexual attraction. She demands that the huntsman return with Snow White's lungs and liver as proof. Some of these attributes seem to exist solely to demonstrate fitness and health, for example by demonstrating the ability to sustain an "expensive" feature with no other apparent survival function. The Queen is jealous, and orders a huntsman to take Snow White into the woods to be killed. In many species, there are behaviours which appear to be sexual display. But one day when she asks her mirror, it responds, "Queen, you're the fairest where you are, but Snow White is more beautiful by far". Often, there is some element of the animal's body which exists for sexual attraction, like the bright plumage and crests of some species of birds. She possesses a magic mirror, to whom she would often ask "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?", and to which the mirror would always reply, "You are". Sexual attractiveness in non-human animals depends on a wide variety of factors. The king takes a new wife who is beautiful but very proud. . In the traditional Brothers Grimm version of this tale, Snow White is born to a queen, who dies shortly after giving birth. This type of attraction is often important for the survival of sexually reproducing species, while in many species serves no immediate reproductive goal. . Sexual attraction, in species which reproduce sexually, is attraction to other members of the same species for sexual or erotic activity. Many scholars think it originated somewhere in Asia. pleasing bodily posture. The origin of the tale is debated; it is likely no older than the Middle Ages. a high degree of mirror symmetry between the left and right sides of the body, particularly of the face. The start of the story also has an interesting twist in that a teacher urges the heroine to kill her own mother so that the teacher can take her place. a lack of visible disease or deformity. The sleep is caused by a ring. a general body shape and appearance sanctioned by the local culture. Gesammelt, übersetz und erläutert (1864), the main character lives with 40 dragons. olfaction (how the other smells, naturally or artificially; the wrong smell may be repulsive). In a version from Albania, collected by Johann Georg von Hahn and published in Griechische und albanesische Märchen. audition (how the other sounds (in their voice and movements)). In non-German versions the dwarfs are generally robbers, while the talking mirror is a dialog with the sun or moon. visual perception (how the other looks). The German version features elements such as the mirror and the seven dwarfs. Snow White (or Snow-White, and in German, Schneewittchen) is the title character of a well known fairy tale known from many places in Europe, the most known version being the one collected by the Brothers Grimm. |