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Title: Women Attracted to Men in Red, Research Shows
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Published: Aug 2, 2010
Author: University of Rochester
Post Date: 2010-08-02 12:06:38 by Turtle
Keywords: None
Views: 354
Comments: 13
What could be as alluring as a lady in red? A gentleman in red, finds a multicultural study published Aug. 2 in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. Simply wearing the color red or being bordered by the rosy hue makes a man more attractive and sexually desirable to women, according to a series of studies by researchers at the University of Rochester and other institutions. And women are unaware of this arousing effect. The cherry color's charm ultimately lies in its ability to make men appear more powerful, says lead author Andrew Elliot, professor of psychology at the University of Rochester. "We found that women view men in red as higher in status, more likely to make money and more likely to climb the social ladder. And it's this high-status judgment that leads to the attraction," Elliot says. Why does red signal rank? The authors see both culture and biology at work. In human societies across the globe, red traditionally has been part of the regalia of the rich and powerful. Ancient China, Japan and sub-Saharan Africa all used the vibrant tint to convey prosperity and elevated status, and Ancient Rome's most powerful citizens were literally called "the ones who wear red." Even today, the authors note, businessmen wear a red tie to indicate confidence, and celebrities and dignitaries are feted by "rolling out the red carpet." Along with this learned association between red and status, the authors point to the biological roots of human behavior. In non-human primates, like mandrills and gelada baboons, red is an indicator of male dominance and is expressed most intensely in alpha males. Females of these species mate more often with alpha males, who in turn provide protection and resources. "When women see red it triggers something deep and probably biologically engrained," explains Elliot. "We say in our culture that men act like animals in the sexual realm. It looks like women may be acting like animals as well in the same sort of way." To quantify the red effect, the paper analyzed responses from 288 female and 25 male undergraduates to photographs of men in seven different experiments. Participants were all self-identified as heterosexual or bisexual. In one color presentation, participants looked at a man's photo framed by a border of either red or white and answered a series of questions, such as: "How attractive do you think this person is?" Other experiments contrasted red with gray, green, or blue. Colors were precisely equated in lightness and intensity so that test results could not be attributed to differences other than hue. In several experiments, the shirt of the man in the photographs was digitally colored either red or another color. Participants rated the pictured man's status and attractiveness, and reported on their willingness to date, kiss, and engage in other sexual activity with the person. They also rated the man's general likability, kindess, and extraversion. The researchers found that the red effect was limited to status and romance: red made the man seem more powerful, attractive, and sexually desirable, but did not make the man seem more likable, kind, or sociable. The effect was consistent across cultures: undergraduates in the United States, England, Germany, and China all found men more attractive when wearing or bordered by red. And the effect was limited to women. When males were asked to rate the attractiveness of a pictured male, color made no difference in their responses. Across all the studies, the influence of color was totally under the radar. "We typically think of color in terms of beauty and aesthetics," say Elliot. "But color carries meaning as well and affects our perception and behavior in important ways without our awareness." In earlier work, Elliot documented that men are more attracted to women in red. But the red effect depends on the context. Elliot and others have also shown that seeing red in competitive situations, such as IQ tests or sporting events, leads to worse performance. The paper was coauthored by Daniela Niesta Kayer, University of Rochester; Tobias Greitemeyer, University of Innsbruck; Stephanie Lichtenfeld, University of Munich; Richard H. Gramzow, University of Southampton; Markus A. Maier, University of Munich; and Huijun Liu, Tainjin Medical University. The research was funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and an Excellence Guest Professorship at the University of Munich.
Poster Comment: This reads like something from the Onion. This is what universities do now, waste taxpayer money with fraudulent studies like this? Very few men wear red. I have no red clothes at all. Satan wears red. And Gilligan!
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#1. To: Turtle (#0)
I have a red 1MX shirt from Structure. I wore it for our Family Christmas photos. My wife really likes it.
Except at Cardinals games. if this study was true, they'd be screwin' in the aisles. It would be one huge orgy. .
Click for Privacy and Preparedness files Live free or Red power tie + conservative suit = more money/prestige/etc. (perception).
__________________________________________________________ This study is just not true. I like to see men in purple! Purple represents nobility, dignity, and royalty.
Mr. Scott from Star Trek wears a red shirt. Then again, a lot of red shirts died on the Enterprise. Seriously though, I don't have ANY red shirts, and if I did, I'd have to fend the women off with a stick. Worse than I do right now.
It is better to be hated for what you are, than loved for what you are not. - Tommy The Mad Artist.
The Brits wore Red way back. Made them great Targets!
I got more strange wearing light blue (edit: turquoise, really, come to think of it) lightweight sweatpants than any time I wore red. I call BS! :)
"The people in power will not disappear voluntarily, giving flowers to the cops just isn't going to work. This thinking is fostered by the establishment; they like nothing better than love and nonviolence. The only way I like to see cops given flowers is in a flower pot from a high window.” - William S Burroughs
That never worked for me; maybe if I washed up a little and quit swearing for a few minutes...
"The people in power will not disappear voluntarily, giving flowers to the cops just isn't going to work. This thinking is fostered by the establishment; they like nothing better than love and nonviolence. The only way I like to see cops given flowers is in a flower pot from a high window.” - William S Burroughs
Women like men dressed in black t-shirts, trust me on that.
#2. To: Turtle (#0)
Very few men wear red.
die kill ~~ Me
God is a separatist. That's good enough for me.
#3. To: Turtle (#0)
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?"
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
#4. To: Turtle (#0)
#5. To: Turtle (#0)
#6. To: Turtle (#0)
#7. To: Turtle (#0)
(Edited)
#8. To: X-15 (#3)
Red power tie + conservative suit = more money/prestige/etc. (perception).
#9. To: Turtle (#0)
Waiting too late to oppose tyranny has always led to bloodshed.
Hair Extensions Five Towns Merrick Manhasset Roslyn Massapequa Amityville Wantagh Farmingdale East Meadow Long Island, NY
#10. To: Critter (#9)
Only if said men are reasonably at least somewhat fit, from what I can tell. I'm telling you, turquoise sweat pants and a Dead Milkmen t-shirt is a good bet for even the smelliest of slobs! (Not that mean you, Critter, you have more class than James Brown's jacket tenders)
Women like men dressed in black t-shirts, trust me on that.
"The people in power will not disappear voluntarily, giving flowers to the cops just isn't going to work. This thinking is fostered by the establishment; they like nothing better than love and nonviolence. The only way I like to see cops given flowers is in a flower pot from a high window.” - William S Burroughs
#11. To: ndcorup (#6)
"Hey, sarge, if the British wore red so the blood wouldn't show, how come American officers wear brown?"
The Brits wore Red way back. Made them great Targets!
"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." - Douglas Adams
#12. To: purplerose (#4)
Royal purple. I almost always wear beige clothes. Beige shirt, beige pants.
This study is just not true. I like to see men in purple! Purple represents nobility, dignity, and royalty.
"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." - Douglas Adams
#13. To: purplerose (#4)
"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." - Douglas Adams
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