<p>In contrast, men are most likely to get attracted to women who look happy, and least to those who appear proud and confident, found the University of British Columbia study.<br /><br />According to the researchers, the study is the first to report a major gender difference in the attractiveness of smiles, and helps explain the enduring allure of "bad boys" and other iconic gender stereotypes.<br /><br />It is also the first study to investigate the attractiveness of displays of pride and shame, said Professor Jessica Tracy, who led the study.<br /><br />"While showing a happy face is considered essential to friendly social interactions, including those involving sexual attraction -- few studies have actually examined whether a smile is, in fact, attractive," Prof Tracy was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.<br /><br />"It finds that men and women respond very differently to displays of emotion, including smiles," she said.<br /><br />For their study, the researchers asked more than 1,000 adult participants to rate the sexual attractiveness of hundreds of images of the opposite sex.<br /><br />These photos included universal displays of happiness (broad smiles), pride (raised heads, puffed-up chests) and shame (lowered heads, averted eyes).<br /><br />The researchers found that women were least attracted to smiling, happy men -- in contrast to men, who were most attracted to women who looked happy.<br /><br />Overall, the researchers said, men rank women more attractive than women rank men.<br />Study co-author Alec Beall said: "It is important to remember that this study explored first-impressions of sexual attraction to images of the opposite sex.<br /><br />"We were not asking participants if they thought these targets would make a good boyfriend or wife -- we wanted their gut reactions on carnal, sexual attraction."<br />He said previous studies have found positive emotional traits and a nice personality to be highly desirable in a relationship partners.<br /><br />Other studies suggest that what people find attractive has been shaped by centuries of evolutionary and cultural forces, the researchers said.<br /><br />For example, evolutionary theories suggest females are attracted to male displays of pride because they imply status, competence and an ability to provide for a partner and offspring.<br /><br />The pride expression accentuates typically masculine physical features, such as upper body size and muscularity, said Beall.<br /><br />"Previous research has shown that these features are among the most attractive male physical characteristics, as judged by women," he said.<br /><br />The researchers, however, said more work is needed to understand the differing responses to happiness.</p>
<p>In contrast, men are most likely to get attracted to women who look happy, and least to those who appear proud and confident, found the University of British Columbia study.<br /><br />According to the researchers, the study is the first to report a major gender difference in the attractiveness of smiles, and helps explain the enduring allure of "bad boys" and other iconic gender stereotypes.<br /><br />It is also the first study to investigate the attractiveness of displays of pride and shame, said Professor Jessica Tracy, who led the study.<br /><br />"While showing a happy face is considered essential to friendly social interactions, including those involving sexual attraction -- few studies have actually examined whether a smile is, in fact, attractive," Prof Tracy was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.<br /><br />"It finds that men and women respond very differently to displays of emotion, including smiles," she said.<br /><br />For their study, the researchers asked more than 1,000 adult participants to rate the sexual attractiveness of hundreds of images of the opposite sex.<br /><br />These photos included universal displays of happiness (broad smiles), pride (raised heads, puffed-up chests) and shame (lowered heads, averted eyes).<br /><br />The researchers found that women were least attracted to smiling, happy men -- in contrast to men, who were most attracted to women who looked happy.<br /><br />Overall, the researchers said, men rank women more attractive than women rank men.<br />Study co-author Alec Beall said: "It is important to remember that this study explored first-impressions of sexual attraction to images of the opposite sex.<br /><br />"We were not asking participants if they thought these targets would make a good boyfriend or wife -- we wanted their gut reactions on carnal, sexual attraction."<br />He said previous studies have found positive emotional traits and a nice personality to be highly desirable in a relationship partners.<br /><br />Other studies suggest that what people find attractive has been shaped by centuries of evolutionary and cultural forces, the researchers said.<br /><br />For example, evolutionary theories suggest females are attracted to male displays of pride because they imply status, competence and an ability to provide for a partner and offspring.<br /><br />The pride expression accentuates typically masculine physical features, such as upper body size and muscularity, said Beall.<br /><br />"Previous research has shown that these features are among the most attractive male physical characteristics, as judged by women," he said.<br /><br />The researchers, however, said more work is needed to understand the differing responses to happiness.</p>