Background: Theoretical studies suggest that direct and indirect selection have the potential to cause substantial evolutionary change in female mate choice. Similarly, sexual selection is considered a strong force in the evolution of male attractiveness and the exaggeration of secondary sexual traits. Few studies have, however, directly tested how female mate choice and male attractiveness res...

Many factors influence physical attractiveness, including degree of symmetry and relative length of legs. We asked a sample of 112 young adults to rate the attractiveness of computer-generated female bodies that varied in terms of symmetry and leg-to-body ratio. These effects were confirmed. However, we also varied whether the person in the image was shown sitting or standing. Half of the parti...

waist/hip ratio accounted for only 1·8%. Waist/hip ratio correlated poorly with attractiveness, whereas even small changes in body-mass index radically altered the attractiveness rating (see figure). Further analyses included other bodyshape dimensions, including waist/bust ratio (upper-body shape), bust/hip ratio (degree to which the body has “hourglass” shape), and the leg length/torso length...

People judge attractiveness and make trait inferences from the physical appearance of others, and research reveals high agreement among observers making such judgments. Evolutionary psychologists have argued that interest in physical appearance and beauty reflects adaptations that motivate the search for desirable qualities in a potential partner. Although men more than women value the physical...

Mothers can non-genetically influence offspring phenotype in response to environmental conditions, including mate attractiveness. If such 'maternal effects' influence the offspring's reproduction and F2 generation, there is a mechanism for non-genetic trans-generational effects on phenotype, including epigenetic phenomena, with implications for evolution and population dynamics. We demonstrate ...

The matching effect is the empirical finding that romantic couples have a high correlation in physical attractiveness. It remains a debate as to whether this correlation is based purely on similarity preference the matching hypothesis or marketplace forces. We present a new marketplace model for romantic relationships. Previous models granted every person access to his/her own attractiveness. I...

.........................................................................................iii TABLE OF CONTENTS...........................................................................iv LIST OF TABLES...................................................................................vi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW...........................1 Attractiveness Stereotypes............

We contrast memory-based and stimulus-based choices, using dual-process theories such as Kahneman and Frederick’s system 1/system 2 dichotomy. Systems 1 and 2 are conceptualized as distinct modes of thought, the former automatic and affective, the latter controlled and deliberate. Cognitive load impedes system 2, yielding greater reliance on system 1. In memory-based choice, consumers must main...

Two experiments were designed to replicate and extend [Lindgaard et al.’s, 2006. Attention web designers: you have 50ms to make a good first impression! Behaviour and Information Technology 25(2), 115–126] findings that users can form immediate aesthetic impression of web pages, and that these impressions are highly stable. Using explicit (subjective evaluations) and implicit (response latency)...

In this paper, we empirically investigate an extension of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM, Davis, 1989) to explain the individual acceptance and usage of websites. Conceptually, we examine perceived ease-of-use, usefulness, enjoyment, and their impact on attitude towards using, intention to use and actual use. The paper also introduces a new construct, “perceived visual attractiveness” of ...