Men are constantly bombarded with images of the ideal woman, of what's considered attractive.
Tall, thin, busty and blonde are the images seen all the time. However, these are not the usual characteristics of an average gal. Most women aren't blonde, tall, thin and busty. So why are men subjected to women who are skinny as rails and have legs for days?
It could be called the Maxim effect, or perhaps the FHM corollary. Through men's magazines, guys are constantly fed information about what is sexy and attractive. Even in women's magazines, blonde hair is categorized as a more seductive shade than other hair colors.
But while sex sells, it does little else.
According to a survey in Women's Health Magazine, 67 percent of female respondents said blonde hair is more sensual, but 76 percent agreed brown is the best shade for a job interview. Strangely enough, however, about half of the women surveyed thought the first president would be blonde.
But titillating magazines do more than deluge women with unrealistic expectations.
A recent University of Missouri study found when men look at magazines like Maxim or FHM, their self esteem plummets. Men are reminded the women in the centerfolds are way out of their leagues. Even the male models have a negative effect on men, flaunting a muscular physic most average guys will never achieve.
But at the end of the day, it's the ravishing ladies who do the most damage to a man's psyche.
"The male models are generally covered, and because their muscles aren't blatant, male readers don't feel jealous," said Jennifer Aubrey, one of the project's lead researchers in an interview with Psychology Today magazine. "But when looking at objectified women, they may be imagining what those women want, thinking if they were more muscular, these women would like them."
To put her hypothesis to the test, Aubrey will put together images of beautiful, deific women next to grimy, run-of-the mill dudes to see how men respond to the idea such glamorous girls could be within their reach.
Compiled by: John Turner
Source: http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/blog/6883-sexy-women-make-everyone-feel-bad-17742.html
Be the first to comment on this article!