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Using Sexual Selection Theories to Examine Contextual Variation in Heterosexual Women's Orientation Toward High Heels.

ABSTRACT: High heels are symbols of female sexuality and are "costly signals" if the risks of wearing them are offset by improving women's attractiveness to men. From a functionalist perspective, the costs versus benefits of wearing heels may vary according to personal and contextual factors, such as her effectiveness at competing for mates, or at times when such motives are stronger. Here, we examined potential differences between women (self-rated attractiveness, dyadic versus solitary sexual desire, women's age, competitive attitudes toward other women) and contextual variation (priming mating and competitive motives) in their responses to high heels. Study 1 (N?=?79) and Study 2 (N?=?273) revealed that self-rated attractiveness was positively related to orientation toward heeled shoes. When examining responses to two very attractive shoes (one higher heel, one lower heel) in Study 2, dyadic sexual desire, but not solitary sexual desire or intrasexual competitiveness, predicted their inclination to buy the higher-heeled shoe. In Study 3 (N?=?142), young women chose high heels when primed with free choice of a designer shoe (95% CI [53.02 mm, 67.37 mm]) and preferred a heel 22 mm (0.87") higher than older women (Study 4, N?=?247). Contrary to predictions, priming mating or competitive motives did not alter women's preference toward a higher heel (Studies 3 and 4). Our studies suggest that attractive women augment their physical appeal via heels. High heels may be a subtle indicator of dyadic sexual desire, and preferences for heels are stronger at times in the lifespan when mating competition is relatively intense.

SUBMITTER: Watkins C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7058566 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Using Sexual Selection Theories to Examine Contextual Variation in Heterosexual Women's Orientation Toward High Heels.

Watkins Christopher C Leitch Amanda A

Archives of sexual behavior 20190916 3

High heels are symbols of female sexuality and are "costly signals" if the risks of wearing them are offset by improving women's attractiveness to men. From a functionalist perspective, the costs versus benefits of wearing heels may vary according to personal and contextual factors, such as her effectiveness at competing for mates, or at times when such motives are stronger. Here, we examined potential differences between women (self-rated attractiveness, dyadic versus solitary sexual desire, wo ...[more]

PMID: 31529224

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Project description:The strength and direction of sexual selection via female choice on masculine facial traits in men is a paradox in human mate choice research. While masculinity may communicate benefits to women and offspring directly (i.e. resources) or indirectly (i.e. health), masculine men may be costly as long-term partners owing to lower paternal investment. Mating strategy theory suggests women's preferences for masculine traits are strongest when the costs associated with masculinity are reduced. This study takes a multivariate approach to testing whether women's mate preferences are context-dependent. Women (n = 919) rated attractiveness when considering long-term and short-term relationships for male faces varying in beardedness (clean-shaven and full beards) and facial masculinity (30% and 60% feminized, unmanipulated, 30% and 60% masculinized). Participants then completed scales measuring pathogen, sexual and moral disgust, disgust towards ectoparasites, reproductive ambition, self-perceived mate value and the facial hair in partners and fathers. In contrast to past research, we found no associations between pathogen disgust, self-perceived mate value or reproductive ambition and facial masculinity preferences. However, we found a significant positive association between moral disgust and preferences for masculine faces and bearded faces. Preferences for beards were lower among women with higher ectoparasite disgust, providing evidence for ectoparasite avoidance hypothesis. However, women reporting higher pathogen disgust gave higher attractiveness ratings for bearded faces than women reporting lower pathogen disgust, providing support for parasite-stress theories of sexual selection and mate choice. Preferences for beards were also highest among single and married women with the strongest reproductive ambition. Overall, our results reflect mixed associations between individual differences in mating strategies and women's mate preferences for masculine facial traits.

Project description:Background and objectivesSexual satisfaction is an important part of sexual health and overall well-being. A large number of older people continue to be sexually active, and many are satisfied with their sex life. However, little is known about whether sexual satisfaction differs according to sexual orientation. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate whether sexual satisfaction differs according to sexual orientation in later life.Research design and methodsThe German Ageing Survey is a nationally representative study of the German population aged 40+. In the third wave (2008), data on both sexual orientation (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, other) and sexual satisfaction (1-very dissatisfied to 5-very satisfied) were collected. Multiple regression analyses with sampling weights were performed (stratified by age: 40-64; 65+).ResultsWe included 4,856 individuals in our analysis (mean age 57.6 ± 11.6; 40-85 years, 50.4% were women, 92.3% (n = 4,483) were heterosexual, and 7.7% (n = 373) were sexual minority adults). In sum, 55.9% of heterosexual individuals and 52.3% of sexual minority adults were satisfied or very satisfied with their sex life. Multiple regression analysis showed that sexual orientation was not significantly associated with sexual satisfaction among both middle-aged (β = 0.07; p = .45) and older adults (β = 0.01; p = .87). Higher sexual satisfaction was associated with lower loneliness scores, partnership satisfaction, importance of sexuality and intimacy, and better health status.Discussion and implicationsOur analysis showed that sexual orientation was not significantly associated with sexual satisfaction among both middle-aged and older adults. Lower loneliness, better health status, and partnership satisfaction significantly contributed to higher sexual satisfaction. Approximately 45% of older individuals (aged 65 years and older), regardless of their sexual orientation, were still satisfied with their sex life.

Dataset Information

Using Sexual Selection Theories to Examine Contextual Variation in Heterosexual Women's Orientation Toward High Heels.

Publications

Using Sexual Selection Theories to Examine Contextual Variation in Heterosexual Women's Orientation Toward High Heels.

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