Body image perception (relating to winter/seasonal)
Ok so i wrote in the ‘winter clothing’ thread about an article i had read – of body image.
it was actually about the attitude and percetions that men gave rating women bodies depending on season and amount of clothing.
an actual scientific study that was published.
the text of the abstract is:
“Men’s attraction to women’s bodies changes seasonally. (2008)
Journal – Perception (England )
Abstract :
Humans exhibit seasonal variation in hormone levels, behaviour, and perception. Here we show that men’s assessments of women’s attractiveness change also seasonally. In five seasons (from winter 2004 to winter 2005) 114 heterosexual men were asked to assess the attractiveness of the same stimuli: photos of a female with three different waist-to-hip ratios; photos of female breasts, and photos of average-looking faces of young women. For each season, the scores given to the stimuli of the same category (body shape, breast, and face) were combined. Friedman’s test revealed significant changes for body shape and breast attractiveness assessments across the seasons, but no changes for face ratings. The highest scores for attractiveness were given in winter and the lowest in summer. We suggest that the observed seasonality is related to the well-known ‘contrast effect’. More frequent exposure to women’s bodies in warmer seasons might increase men’s attractiveness criteria for women’s body shape and breasts.”
SO that lead to lots of citations and other articles.
The one i saw also said:
(as a summary or paraphrasing)
“The men’s attraction to the bodies grew as temperature dropped, and vice versa. It’s called the ‘contrast effect’: men see more of women’s bodies in warm weather and so they are more discerning and critical”
http://www.perceptionweb.com/abstract.cgi?id=p5715
So i guess that means covering up makes us more alluring?
Or at least – the hidden = unknown finds? lol.
Or even i guess it means men get starved of seeing something so are more willing to like? 😛
There are also mentions of it on a pile of onlnie blogs and beauty sites, even mens health! (and this guy who ran the study seems to d oa lot of similar experiments):
it would be interesting hearing ppls views of this theory… or well , if u think it matters how to look for knowing or not if ppl are going to be more relaxed in their perceptions at diff times of the yr
(personally i dress how i like, all yr long, and i also didnt base my image or my fashion style on any 1 trned or the way i think ppl will care or view me. but thats just me)
Nat
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.