According to the study "Gender Similarities and Differences in Preferences for Specific Body Parts," the top 5 body parts that women found desirable in men were:
- Chest (M = 3.84, SD = 0.83)
- Teeth (M = 3.84, SD = 0.96)
- Muscle tone (M = 3.87, SD = 0.79)
- Skin (M = 3.79, SD = 0.84)
- Height (M = 3.78, SD = 0.93)
The study "Gender Similarities and Differences in Preferences for Specific Body Parts" by R. Matthew Montoya, published in Current Research in Social Psychology in 2007, investigates how men and women prioritize various body parts when selecting an ideal mate. The research challenges conventional wisdom by revealing that both genders value physical appearance, but their preferences differ based on evolutionary factors.
Methodology
Montoya surveyed 137 heterosexual undergraduate students, aged 18 to 28, from a New England university. Participants rated the desirability of 21 body parts in an ideal mate on a 5-point scale, ranging from "no opinion" to "very desirable." The body parts assessed included eyes, lips, skin, teeth, chest, abdomen, arms, shoulders, hands, legs, hips, feet, and others. The study aimed to identify both universal preferences and gender-specific differences.
Findings
The study identified several key findings:
- Universal Preferences: Both men and women highly valued body parts indicative of overall health, such as eyes, lips, and skin. This aligns with evolutionary psychology, which suggests that physical attractiveness signals health and genetic fitness.
- Gender-Specific Preferences:
- Women's Preferences: Women showed a stronger preference for body parts associated with strength and overall fitness, including the chest, arms, and shoulders. This preference may be linked to evolutionary cues signaling a partner's ability to provide protection and resources.
- Men's Preferences: Men preferred body parts that could indicate fertility, such as hips and legs. These preferences may be rooted in evolutionary desires to select mates capable of bearing and nurturing offspring.
- Overall Health Indicators: Both genders preferred body parts that are predictive of overall health, underscoring the importance of health in mate selection.
Montoya's research contributes to the understanding of mate selection by highlighting that while both genders value physical appearance, their preferences are influenced by evolutionary factors related to health and reproductive fitness. The study suggests that women's preferences for strength-related body parts and men's preferences for fertility-related body parts are consistent with evolutionary theories of mate selection.
Conclusion
In summary, Montoya's study provides valuable insights into the gendered aspects of mate selection, emphasizing that both men and women consider physical appearance important but prioritize different body parts based on evolutionary cues related to health and reproductive potential. These findings enhance the understanding of human mating preferences and the underlying psychological mechanisms.
