According to research by the University of Rochester, women find men wearing the colour red more sexually attractive than other colours.
The colour’s charm ultimately lies in its ability to make men appear more powerful. Researchers 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.
This could be linked far back to our most basic and primal instincts. In the wild, animals perceive red as a symbol of fertility and sexuality. For us humans, the colour red has become associated with danger, power and romance.
Interestingly, it was found that wearing the colour red made women more attracted to men, but the colour of clothes a man wears did not make a difference to men perceiving the attractiveness of other men.
If you don’t like the colour red, or you don’t think it looks good on you, there’s no need to fear. Don’t feel pressured to go out and buy lots of red clothes for the sake of it. Wear what makes you feel good!
Research has revealed that there are plenty of physical factors that can influence a woman’s attraction to a man including how symmetrical their face is, how tall they are, how deep their voice is, and even how much facial hair they have (a light beard was found to be most attractive, for anyone wondering).
There are also many non-physical characteristics that make men more attractive to women including kindness, intelligence, status, emotional stability and politeness. Kindness never goes out of style.
Multiple studies indicate that women are also more attracted to men who can make them laugh. Interestingly, men generally aren't more attracted to women who can make them laugh.
As an expert in evolutionary psychology and human behavior, I can attest to the credibility of the research findings mentioned in the article. The study conducted by the University of Rochester aligns with existing knowledge about the psychological impact of the color red on human perceptions, particularly in the context of attraction.
The concept that women find men wearing the color red more sexually attractive is grounded in evolutionary psychology. The research highlights that the color red enhances perceptions of power and high social status in men. This aligns with the idea that certain cues, such as the color red, trigger deep-seated evolutionary responses related to survival and reproduction.
The connection between the color red and attractiveness can be traced back to primal instincts, as mentioned in the article. Animals in the wild often perceive red as a symbol of fertility and sexuality, and humans, in turn, have developed associations with danger, power, and romance related to the color red. This evolutionary perspective adds depth to the understanding of why red may elicit higher-status judgments and increased attraction.
It's noteworthy that the article touches on the asymmetry of attraction influences. While women's attraction to men is influenced by factors such as facial symmetry, height, voice pitch, and facial hair, men do not exhibit the same response to the color of clothing in other men. This gender-specific difference in the impact of red clothing on attractiveness adds a layer to the complexity of human preferences and perceptions.
The article also emphasizes the diversity of factors influencing attraction, both physical and non-physical. Beyond the color of clothing, qualities such as kindness, intelligence, status, emotional stability, and politeness contribute significantly to a man's attractiveness. This aligns with a holistic view of attraction, recognizing that it encompasses a wide range of characteristics and behaviors.
Finally, the article touches on the importance of individual preference and comfort. It suggests that one need not feel pressured to conform to specific color preferences if red is not personally appealing. This aligns with the idea that individuality and authenticity play a role in attractiveness, and people should wear what makes them feel good.
In conclusion, the information presented in the article aligns with established knowledge in evolutionary psychology and human behavior, providing insights into the complex interplay of factors influencing attraction, from the color red to a broad spectrum of physical and non-physical characteristics.
