Morgan BellThe science of beauty
April 7th 2006 04:20
Get to the gym, boys - women are changing their minds about men. A study has found that women with careers, education and financial independence place a greater importance on physical attractiveness than on his income, when choosing a mate. This is certainly a change from previous survey results showing that men desire beauty while women prefer financial stability.
The world is becoming crueller and crueller to those less aesthetically fortunate. Earlier this year, The Washington Post reported that “unattractive individuals commit more crime in comparison to average-looking ones, and very attractive individuals commit less crime in comparison to those who are average-looking”.
Obviously, the saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” can only be true to an extent. We don’t all agree on whether Liz Hurley is more attractive than Gong Li, but most of us will admit that both women are extraordinarily beautiful. So what is it exactly that universally defines beauty?
Some speculate that a beautiful face is one that adheres to the golden ratio. A person’s facial features can sometimes also hint at personality traits that others may find attractive. Physical attributes such as rosy cheeks, large breasts and curvaceous hips suggest sexual health and maturity and are thus attractive to a potential mate.
“Familiarity breeds acceptance”, Dr David Myers writes in the textbook “Exploring Psychology”, mentioning the story of a Taiwanese man whose numerous love letters to his girlfriend resulted in her marrying the mailman instead. Our desire for physical familiarity in a mate might once upon a time have led to inbreeding, if not for our sense of smell, which contradictorily tends to prefer those with the most dissimilar genes to our own.
The world is becoming crueller and crueller to those less aesthetically fortunate. Earlier this year, The Washington Post reported that “unattractive individuals commit more crime in comparison to average-looking ones, and very attractive individuals commit less crime in comparison to those who are average-looking”.
Obviously, the saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” can only be true to an extent. We don’t all agree on whether Liz Hurley is more attractive than Gong Li, but most of us will admit that both women are extraordinarily beautiful. So what is it exactly that universally defines beauty?
Some speculate that a beautiful face is one that adheres to the golden ratio. A person’s facial features can sometimes also hint at personality traits that others may find attractive. Physical attributes such as rosy cheeks, large breasts and curvaceous hips suggest sexual health and maturity and are thus attractive to a potential mate.
“Familiarity breeds acceptance”, Dr David Myers writes in the textbook “Exploring Psychology”, mentioning the story of a Taiwanese man whose numerous love letters to his girlfriend resulted in her marrying the mailman instead. Our desire for physical familiarity in a mate might once upon a time have led to inbreeding, if not for our sense of smell, which contradictorily tends to prefer those with the most dissimilar genes to our own.
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Comment by Cibbuano
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And her voice? Gives me shivers (the creepy ones, not the wistful ones)
Comment by liz
I haven't heard Gong Li sing, but I thought she was stunning as the bitchy character in Memoirs of a Geisha.
Comment by amy
Then again, the ones who are going to karmatic hell are the good looking megalomaniacs who get away with everything. Cmon cockroach reincarnation!!!
I love pop science, nerd on!
Comment by Stanley
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by liz
cibby, how does her speaking voice bother you? there are only 3 speaking voices in the entire world that annoy me and they belong to fran fine, the skanky woman from "will and grace", and my mother..
Comment by Cibbuano
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No, for Chinese actresses, I'd say my favourite is Maggie Cheung. A great actress, and stunning looks...
Comment by Alskreek
Comment by liz
i totally agree with you cib, maggie cheung is fantastic. but you forgot to mention her uber leet kung fu skills!
Comment by Addiction