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Sexual attraction

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In species which reproduce by sexual reproduction, sexual attractiveness to other members of the same species is an important survival factor.

Sexual attraction in humans

Superficial sexual attricativeness

Much of human sexual attractiveness is governed by appearance.

A sexually attractive appearance in humans generally involves:

  • a general body shape and appearance sanctioned by the local culture
  • a lack of visible disease or deformity
  • a high degree of symmetry between the left and right sides of the body, particularly of the face
  • pleasing bodily posture

However, providing that all of these aspects are reasonably normal, there is no requirement for great physical beauty for a person to be sexually attractive, and personality and good manners come to the fore.

However, these factors are complicated by many other factors.

There may sometimes be a focus on particular features of the body, such as breasts, legs, hair, or musculature. In this regard, there can be said to be a degree of fetishistic arousal in most normal individuals who respond to particular bodily features as a sign of attractiveness, and many people exhibit high levels of sexual fetishism, and are sexually aroused by other stimuli not normally associated with sexual arousal.

The Westermarck effect was discovered by anthropologist Edward Westermarck. When two people live in close domestic proximity during the first 30 months in the life of either one, both are desensitized to later close sexual attraction and bonding.

Personality and sexual attractiveness

to be written

Inter-personal relationships

to be written

To do:

  • cultural ideals are not necessarily cultural practice
  • sexual attractiveness and self-image, excessive anxiety
  • how "beautiful" and "ugly" people are treated by others
  • sexual attraction in other animals
  • sexual display
  • behavioral imprinting
  • sexual arousal