Height, Relationship Satisfaction, Jealousy, and Mate Retention

Male height is associated with high mate value. In particular, tall men are perceived as more attractive, dominant and of a higher status than shorter rivals, resulting in a greater lifetime reproductive success. Female infidelity and relationship dissolution may therefore present a greater risk to short men. It was predicted that tall men would report greater relationship satisfaction and lower jealousy and mate retention behavior than short men. Ninety eight heterosexual men in a current romantic relationship completed a questionnaire. Both linear and quadratic relationships were found between male height and relationship satisfaction, cognitive and behavioral jealousy. Tall men reported greater relationship satisfaction and lower levels of cognitive or behavioral jealousy than short men. In addition, linear and quadratic relationships were found between male height and a number of mate retention behaviors. Tall and short men engaged in different mate retention behaviors. These findings are consistent with previous research conducted in this area detailing the greater attractiveness of tall men

Sexual Dimorphism in Stature (SDS), jealousy and mate retention

Previous research has investigated the manner in which absolute height impacts on jealousy and mate retention. Although relative height is also important, little information exists about the potential influence of sexual dimorphism in stature (SDS) within established relationships. The current study investigated the relationship between SDS and the satisfaction, jealousy and mate retention behaviors reported by men and women. Heterosexual men ( n = 98) and women ( n = 102) completed a questionnaire. Men in high SDS relationships reported the lowest levels of cognitive and behavioral jealousy, although the impact of SDS on relationship satisfaction was less clear. SDS was not associated with the overall use of mate retention strategies; SDS did however affect the use of three specific strategies (vigilance, monopolization of time, love and care). SDS did not affect women's relationship satisfaction, jealousy (cognitive, behavioral, or emotional) or the use of mate retention strategies (with the exception of resource display)

Evidence to Suggest that Copulatory Vocalizations in Women Are Not a Reflexive Consequence of Orgasm

The current studies were conducted in order to investigate the phenomenon of copulatory vocalizations and their relationship to orgasm in women. Data were collected from 71 sexually active heterosexual women (M age = 21.68 years ± .52) recruited from the local community through opportunity sampling. The studies revealed that orgasm was most frequently reported by women following self-manipulation of the clitoris, manipulation by the partner, oral sex delivered to the woman by a man, and least frequently during vaginal penetration. More detailed examination of responses during intercourse revealed that, while female orgasms were most commonly experienced during foreplay, copulatory vocalizations were reported to be made most often before and simultaneously with male ejaculation. These data together clearly demonstrate a dissociation of the timing of women experiencing orgasm and making copulatory vocalizations and indicate that there is at least an element of these responses that are under conscious control, providing women with an opportunity to manipulate male behavior to their advantage

Evidence to Suggest That Teeth Act as Human Ornament Displays Signalling Mate Quality

Ornament displays seen in animals convey information about genetic quality, developmental history and current disease state to both prospective sexual partners and potential rivals. In this context, showing of teeth through smiles etc is a characteristic feature of human social interaction. Tooth development is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Adult teeth record environmental and traumatic events, as well as the effects of disease and ageing. Teeth are therefore a rich source of information about individuals and their histories. This study examined the effects of digital manipulations of tooth colour and spacing. Results showed that deviation away from normal spacing and/or the presence of yellowed colouration had negative effects on ratings of attractiveness and that these effects were markedly stronger in female models. Whitening had no effect beyond that produced by natural colouration. This indicates that these colour induced alterations in ratings of attractiveness are mediated by increased/decreased yellowing rather than whitening per se. Teeth become yellower and darker with age. Therefore it is suggested that whilst the teeth of both sexes act as human ornament displays, the female display is more complex because it additionally signals residual reproductive value

Evidence to Suggest that Women’s Sexual Behavior is Influenced by Hip Width Rather than Waist-to-Hip Ratio

Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is an important ornament display that signals women’s health and fertility. Its significance derives from human development as a bipedal species. This required fundamental changes to hip morphology/musculature to accommodate the demands of both reproduction and locomotion. The result has been an obstetric dilemma whereby women’s hips are only just wide enough to allow the passage of an infant. Childbirth therefore poses a significant hip width related threat to maternal mortality/risk of gynecological injury. It was predicted that this would have a significant influence on women’s sexual behavior. To investigate this, hip width and WHR were measured in 148 women (M age = 20.93 + 0.17 years) and sexual histories were recorded via questionnaire. Data revealed that hip width per se was correlated with total number of sexual partners, total number of one night stands, percentage of sexual partners that were one night stands, number of sexual partners within the context of a relationship per year sexually active, and number of one night stands per year sexually active. By contrast, WHR was not correlated with any of these measures. Further analysis indicated that women who predominantly engaged in one night stand behavior had wider hips than those who did not. WHR was again without effect in this context. Women’s hip morphology has a direct impact on their risk of potentially fatal childbirth related injury. It is concluded that when they have control over this, women’s sexual behavior reflects this risk and is therefore at least in part influenced by hip width

A female perspective: Experiences of fashion, textiles, clothing and design

BACKGROUND: Carole Hunt (Art, Design, and Fashion) and Gayle Brewer (Psychology) at the University of Central Lancashire are currently investigating the extent to which female designers’ personal experiences impact on the design process of women’s clothing. The research is driven by theme rather than discipline, and focuses on a combination of clothing, textiles, visual appearance, gender and identity. Participants are final year Fashion Design students, who have had a year’s experience in industry. There are two key themes. 1. Body image, appearance and dissatisfaction are positioned within debates on subjectivity and identity, and are associated with a range of negative consequences including anxiety and depression. The fashion industry is said to have created a toxic environment that increases the likelihood of eating disorders. There is little research into the experience of those, other than models, who work in the fashion industry. 2. How do social, cultural and symbolic experiences of clothing, beauty and the body, affect design practice and the finished garment? METHOD: Participants complete a questionnaire identifying demographic status, professional training and experience of design. Semi-structured interviews are then conducted inviting participants to narrate and reflect on their experiences. Visual data is collected from participants’ studio work. How are designers’ social, cultural, and symbolic experiences of textiles, clothing and physical appearance conveyed and communicated through the fashion design visually, as well as through language? FINDINGS: Four distinct themes are emerging: 1. Differences between the University studio, and being “out there” in industry: being judged on appearance has had a negative impact on selfimage. 2. Social and cultural influences informing perceptions of women’s’ physical appearance. Students sought to challenge stereotypes through their design work. 3. A dichotomy between negative self-image and customer, described as in her twenties, strong, confident, financially independent; a woman unafraid to stand out. 4. Clothing as shelter, a protection from value judgements. Clothing as a ‘stylish fortress’ is a common theme. DISCUSSION: 1. Issues of health and well-being of fashion design students including physical appearance, disordered eating and weight related issues. 2. Social and cultural influences on gender identity. 3. Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research methods

Machiavellianism and romantic relationship dissolution

Despite the frequency with which relationships are dissolved and the consequences of this dissolution, few studies have considered the manner in which individual differences (rather than characteristics of the relationship itself) influence the selection of a break up strategy or break up related distress. The current studies were conducted to address this issue. In Study 1, women (N = 141) completed Machiavellianism (Christie & Geis, 1970) and break up strategy (Collins & Gillath, 2012) questionnaires. Women with high levels of Machiavellianism were more likely than those with low levels of Machiavellianism to employ Avoidance/Withdrawal, Cost Escalation, Manipulation, and Distant/Mediated Communication when terminating a relationship. In Study 2, women (N = 125) completed Machiavellianism (Christie & Geis, 1970) and break up distress (Field, Diego, Pelaez, Deeds, & Delgado, 2010) measures. Machiavellianism did not predict post relationship dissolution distress. Findings are discussed in relation to the Machiavellian interpersonal style and relationship preferences

Is Gaydar Affected by Attitudes Towards Homosexuality? Confidence, Labelling Bias, and Accuracy

Previous research has largely ignored the relationship between sexual orientation judgement accuracy, confidence, and attitudes towards homosexuality. In an online study, participants (N = 269) judged the sexual orientation of homosexual and heterosexual targets presented via a series of facial photographs. Participants also indicated their confidence in each judgement and completed the Modern Homonegativity Scale (Morrison & Morrison, 2002). We found that (i) homosexual men and heterosexual women were more accurate when judging photographs of women, as opposed to photographs of men, and (ii) in heterosexual men, negative attitudes towards homosexual men predicted confidence and bias when rating men’s photographs. Findings indicate that homosexual men and heterosexual women are similar in terms of accuracy in judging women’s sexuality. Further, especially in men, homophobia is associated with cognitive biases in labelling other men, but does not have a relationship with increased accuracy

Contemporary and Historical Evidence to Suggest that Women’s Preference for Age at Birth of First Child Remains Consistent Across Time

Women’s ability to reproduce is restricted by menarche and menopause. First children are, however, not typically born until some years after the onset of puberty. Other factors therefore contribute towards this delay. In this context, women’s hips do not reach full adult form until they are in their mid-20s. Therefore, physiological and morphological factors appear to determine an optimum age-range for reproduction. The following studies were conducted in order to investigate this hypothesis. Study 1 asked nulliparous women questions about ages at which particular life events related to reproduction should ideally occur. This revealed their preferred age at birth of first child to be approximately 27 years old. Study 2 replicated these findings and further showed that women with children actually had their first child at a very similar age (27.93 [±0.79]). Findings from Study 3 were also remarkably consistent (28.15 [±0.39]). Study 4 examined the 1901 UK Census record and incorporated an analysis of the influence of wealth. Middle class women were on average 24.88 (±0.22) years old at the birth of their first child. Poor women were on average 23.50 (±0.20) years old. These figures at least approximate to findings from Studies 1–3, which is noteworthy given that modern contraceptive methods were not widely available at the time. It is concluded that female strategies to delay giving birth to their first child until they are of an age that approaches or coincides with their full hip maturation are enduring across time

What do people infer from facial attractiveness?

The facial photographs of 84 heterosexual women were rated for attractiveness by 74 males and 74 females who also made judgements regarding the personality and behaviour of these women. Both sexes judged physically attractive women as possessing more desirable personality traits and also as being more promiscuous than less attractive women. These findings extend the beauty-is-good stereotype, also attributing a more unrestricted sexual strategy to attractive women. This is consistent with research identifying the actual strategies of attractive women. It is argued that both sexes would benefit – in terms of mate choice and identification of rivals – from identifying attractive women as likely to be more promiscuou