Abstract

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Brase & Walker (2004, Human Nature)
Female waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) has generally been an important general predictor of ratings of physical attractiveness and related characteristics. Individual differences do exist in ratings, however, and may be related to differences in the reproductive tactics of the male raters such as pursuit of short-term or long-term relationships and adjustments based on one’s own quality as a mate. 40 males, categorized according to sociosexual orientation (SO) and their own physical qualities (WHR, Body Mass Index, and self-rated desirability), rated female models on both attractiveness and likelihood they would approach them. Restricted SO males were less likely to approach females rated as most attractive (with 0.68-0.72 WHR), as compared to unrestricted SO males. Males lower in terms of own physical qualities gave ratings indicating more favorable evaluations of female models with lower WHR. The results indicate that attractiveness and willingness to approach are overlapping, but distinguishable, constructs that are both influenced by variations in characteristics of the raters.