We all have different preferences as far as who we are attracted to. And as adults we have the ability to look beyond the physical and see inner beauty, and this can make someone considered to be beautiful. But I once saw an experiment done where they put groups of babies in front of a screen and showed them faces of different people. Some were people who society would consider attractive, others were plain, and even others were disfigured.The outcome of the experiment, was that the babies enjoyed looking more at the faces of the "attractive" people, and their attention held longer toward them ,than the plain and disfigured people. Do you think that we are all actually born finding certain physical attributes in people more appealing than others? I just thought this was interesting.
2007-02-28 06:02:45 · 7 answers · asked by Lindsey H 5 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
The babies used were under a year old. That is a good point,though.
2007-02-28 06:15:39 · update #1
There was another study put out several years back that related peoples' perceptions of beauty to the proportions of their facial measurements. A person whose facial features are laid out proportionally to each other was considered to be more beautiful. This proportionality would make sense as an indicator of biological health, which would lead one to be more likely to produce offspring by this person. Since it has also been demonstrated that successful natural selection is based upon the ability of a species to choose mates that provide advantageous DNA to the next generation, it would make sense that this pre-disposition towards "beauty" is a biological mechanism helping to insure the survival of our species. Hence, it seems to follow that it is a genetic preferance from early in our lives to consider someone desireable. To address an earlier comment, a "teddy-bear" type of man may have provided assurance of sustanance, while the "athletic" type of man may have signified a higher level of physical safety. They both have their advantages, and therefore may be traits that are sought out as being desirable to help insure survival.
I think that societal ideals begin to influence our decisions at an early stage, and that they do so to an increasing level as we mature. This may allow us to move beyond physical, biological preferances and to begin to see the inner beauty of a person (Thank goodness.... or I may NEVER get a date!:) But I believe that "beauty" is firmly rooted in our biology (nature) and that the ability to move beyond this comes from society (nurture).
2007-02-28 11:41:17 · answer #1 · answered by concordmusicman 2 · 49⤊ 3⤋
Yes! It is natural to gravitate towards things that are enjoyable, rather it be good looks, be a cushy lifestyle or a prestigious job.
People are naturally drawn towards things that are a positive benefit to them selves.
Now as far as a standard, again yes! Each person has their independent standards for beautiful. Some people enjoy "sweet Teddy bear" men while others are drawn towards jocks for example.
There will never be a single most beautiful male/female in the world since there is such a large variety of attractive qualities.
As a test:
Ask the 10 people closest to you which color is the most beautiful.
I bet you get no more then 40% agreeing on the same color. Less then half. It takes 100% for a standard.
2007-02-28 06:20:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 10⤊ 2⤋
confident. From an objective perspective, she has a great sort of the classic perfect valuable factors: slightly huge-set eyes, finished lips, sparkling pores and skin, and hourglass shape. There are few actress accessible that i think of resemble her and that they are seen exceedingly.
2016-09-30 00:40:54 · answer #3 · answered by elzey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess you can't argue with the experiment. I suppose the experiment proves some valid point that your question mentions.
I would like to know.........how old were the babies used in the experiment? I wonder this b/c I know that even 2 year olds can be impressioned with certain ideals that our society holds.
2007-02-28 06:10:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
It's all in the proportions.
2007-02-28 07:06:34 · answer #5 · answered by axisboldaslove_2000 1 · 5⤊ 2⤋
I think that can be summed up in 3 words-Lesley Ann Warren!
Especially in her younger days, like in Cinderella.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000690/
http://product.ebay.com/Rodgers-Hammersteins-Cinderella_UPC_086162611131_W0QQfvcsZ1178QQsoprZ3063033
2007-02-28 06:13:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 7⤋
Yes, but those characteristics depend on a lot of things. for example, what your own parents look like.
2007-02-28 06:10:14 · answer #7 · answered by brian 3 · 1⤊ 9⤋