FINALLY! THE SCIENCE BEHIND ATTRACTION
The Woman’s Owncolumnist has her say on pensions, fast food and teeth
Apparently we all have the ability to look hot and desirable…
True story. The one time I tried to look ‘sexy’ for the husband he reacted in the way I expected. Did he burst with unbridled passion and grab me for passionate lovemaking? Nah. He burst out laughing.
Because there are some women put on this earth who just don’t ‘do’ sexy. And I’m one of them. Being a great six-foot lummox with size 9 feet doesn’t help. Nor does looking like the unholy offspring of Plug from the Bash Street Kids (remember them?) and a trout, when I try to pout, go in my favour.
Thankfully, there really is someone for everyone and obviously I have other attributes. And er, well, I’ll get back to you when I’ve figured out what they are.
But evidently there are ways ALL of us can look hot no matter what. And this is according to an actual scientist. (Probably one who makes a lab coat and specs perched on the end of her nose look ravishing, but we digress).
Dr Lillian Park, associate professor and chair of the department of psychology at the State University of New York, reckons the actual science behind attractiveness isn’t to change the way we look with weight-loss drugs and Botox but to manipulate the way people see us.
And the even better news is that doing this isn’t rocket science! Nor does it involve stockings and suspenders!
In fact, there are only five rules. And here they are:
Wear red. Research has shown that wearing the colour red increases how physically attractive people find you. Because, while it may represent danger and aggression, it also symbolises passion, love, and desire. A 2008 study presented a group of men with a photo of a woman wearing a red shirt, while a second group saw the same woman wearing a blue shirt. The lady in red was voted most sexually desirable. Same goes for blokes – another study in 2010 using pics of men in different coloured shirts had the same result.
Have good-looking mates. Contrary to popular belief, hanging around with attractive people elevates perception of your own physical attractiveness.
Let people approach you. Be the hunted, not the hunter. Research from speed dating events consistently show that attractiveness is rated higher when the opposite party was more passive, regardless of their gender.
Beer goggles work. But even if you’re not a drinke
