They Found What Makes Us Most Attractive

31.05.2012 | By: J. P.

Scientists patiently put together a list of desirable personal characteristics that make someone attractive. At the top of the list we find ...

Some rules of attractiveness are completely obvious, while others seem hidden deep in our unconscious. (PhotoXpress)

When we're looking for a partner for a lifetime, commitment and fidelity seem far more important than beauty. (PhotoXpress)

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Smell

A study showed that in a particular period of the month women smell better to men and seem more attractive to them than in other parts of the menstrual cycle, while another study indicated that those men who are more symmetrical smell better to women. The women who were included in the study and were smelling sweaty male T shirts, sometimes didn't smell anything, but still described the smell as attractive. It seems that laws of attraction partly extend to our unconscious, since the feeling of attractedness to another human being as a consequence of perceiving the smell of a member of the opposite sex lies outside any conscious choice.

Sense of humor

Numerous personals mention sense of humor as one of the qualities people are looking for in a partner, and that's why scientists decided to pay attention also to this unique human trait. They found that humor does play an important role, but that its meaning depends on gender. ''A woman is attracted to a man that makes her laugh, while a man is attracted to a woman that laughs at his jokes,'' says Eric Bressler from McMaster University.

Fidelity till death do us part

The list of characteristics that make us attractive to potential partners is quite long, where it's impossible to determine the exact order of precedence. However, there is no doubt about one thing: somewhere at the top of the list we will always find one of the personality traits that is most difficult to recognize in advance. In spite of all the differences between men and women, both sexes find fidelity extremely desirable in a partner. Stephen Emlen and his colleagues from Cornell University conducted a study in which 1000 participants, aged between 18 and 24 years, had to put in order of priorities various attributes of attractiveness, such as physical appearance, health, social status, ambitiousness … At the top of the list of those who were interested in finding a long-term partner were fidelity and devotion to one's family. ''Characteristics that make a good parent, commitment and sexual fidelity – this is what people find most attractive in the long haul,'' concludes Emlen.