Masculine Men Favored During Ovulation

This is an interesting article about what women find attractive in men. It only confirms what evolutionary psychologist has been telling us about women during ovulation. Women have been shown to become more promiscuous during the time of ovulation. What I find interesting is, that men have an innate ability to sense danger during a women’s most fertile time.

Good, healthy, masculine genes are still coveted, but once the woman has been impregnated, women want a good, stable, provider to nurture the baby. For this reason women have been shown to have extramarital affairs more frequently during the time of ovulation.

I am not sure I agree with the thesis women are more attracted towards masculine men only during ovulation. Masculine men have been stronger and better hunter/gathers throughout history. Women are genetically programmed to favor masculine men as they offspring will have the best chance of survival. This is about survival and expanding the gene pool.

BBC News: Tuesday, 25 April 2006

Fertility sparks ‘male rivalry’

Ovulating women are thought to find masculine faces (left) more attractive
A composite image of a dominant face (l) next to a submissive one
Men are more aware of potential love rivals when their partners are at
their most fertile, a study suggests.

A Liverpool University study of 64 men suggested those with ovulating
partners were more wary of the dominant-looking men who attract women
at this time.

Those with partners not at risk of conception are less aware, the
Evolution and Human Behavior study suggested.

Earlier research shows ovulating women are more attracted to dominant men.

Arnold facial type

Researchers in the university’s School of Biological Sciences showed
their subjects, all of whom were in long-term relationships, a series
of 66 pictures of two facial types – dominant and submissive.

They were then asked to rate the pictures for dominance, with a
dominant person being defined as someone who “appeared as if they
could get what they wanted”.

Those with partners in the most fertile stage of their menstrual cycle
were more able to spot classic masculine face types – i.e. men with
strong jaw lines, thinner lips and smaller eyes.

But those with partners who were not at risk of getting pregnant at
that particular time were not.

Researcher Rob Burriss said many previous studies show that women’s
preferences for male physical appearance change according to their
fertility status.

Whether they consciously know it or not women do tend to have affairs
with dominant males during their most fertile phase
Dr George Fieldman
Psychology expert

He said during the fertile stage of their menstrual cycle they are
more likely to be attracted to, and have an affair with, a
masculine-looking man.

“Earlier research has shown that women are more interested in men who
have a high testosterone face type – a jaw line like Arnold
Schwarzenegger for example – for a short term relationship.

“They have better genes and are more likely to have strong children.

“This is because high testosterone levels create stronger immune
systems which make them more resistant to disease.”

He surmised that men with fertile partners were sub-consciously aware
of this preference change from their female partner and were reacting
to it.
He said: “Groups of animals, such as chimpanzees, can live quite
happily together, but when a female is ready to mate the two dominant
males within the group become rivals and fight for her attention.

“Similarly in humans, rated dominance increases when the female is
most fertile.”

‘Precluding infidelity’

He said it was interesting that the male behavior appeared to be
determined by that of the females and could not see another reason for it.

“Men become more wary of masculine-looking men only when the female’s
facial preferences begin to shift prior to ovulation,” he added.

Dr George Fieldman, principal lecturer in psychology at
Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College said the paper was
interesting because it suggested men perceived greater dominance when
women were fertile.

“The issue is about having a strategy to prevent or preclude
infidelity of the female partner.

“Whether they consciously know it or not, women do tend to have
affairs with dominant males during their most fertile phase.

“That’s independent of whether they want to get pregnant or not.”

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