All posts tagged: Masculine

Smarter men possess more masculine body shapes but report fewer casual sex partners

Smarter men possess more masculine body shapes but report fewer casual sex partners

Published by José Betancourt

A recent study published in Evolutionary Psychological Science suggests that intelligence in young men is positively linked to physical traits like grip strength and a masculine body shape. At the same time, the research provides evidence that higher intelligence tends to be associated with less promiscuous sexual behavior. These findings support the idea that cognitive ability and physical health may reflect an underlying general fitness factor, while also steering smarter men toward more monogamous relationship strategies. The new study was motivated by the idea of a general fitness factor in humans. In evolutionary biology, there is a concept suggesting that overall genetic quality is expressed through multiple physical and mental traits at the exact same time. This concurrent expression happens because certain genes can influence several seemingly unrelated physical characteristics or biological systems. This genetic phenomenon is known as pleiotropy. For example, a single gene might affect both a person’s immune system and their brain development simultaneously. Some evolutionary scientists suspect that an individual’s total load of genetic mutations affects their entire body. Every person …

Women prefer masculine faces only when they appear safe

Women prefer masculine faces only when they appear safe

Published by José Betancourt

Recent research suggests that women weigh potential threats more heavily than physical appeal when evaluating the faces of potential partners. The findings indicate that while masculine facial features are often preferred, this preference vanishes if the face also communicates aggression. These results were published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences. Evolutionary psychologists have long studied how humans select mates. One prevailing theory involves sexual dimorphism, which refers to the physical differences between males and females. In men, high levels of testosterone during puberty often result in specific facial traits. These include a broader jaw, a prominent brow ridge, and thinner cheeks. These masculine traits can signal good health and strong genetic potential. However, they can also signal dominance or a lack of warmth. Consequently, women often face a dilemma when choosing a partner. They must balance the desire for good genes against the need for a supportive and safe companion. This decision-making process is known as a trade-off strategy. Researchers have previously looked at how external factors influence this choice. For example, women might …

Masculine personality traits predict drinking after romantic fights

Masculine personality traits predict drinking after romantic fights

Published by José Betancourt

A new study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships investigates how personality traits associated with masculinity and femininity influence alcohol use following romantic conflicts. The findings suggest that individuals with higher levels of masculine orientation are more likely to drink alcohol after a disagreement, largely due to the intense negative emotions they experience. Psychological research has historically examined alcohol consumption through the lens of biological sex. Previous studies have consistently shown that men tend to consume alcohol more frequently and in greater quantities than women. Men also tend to experience a higher rate of alcohol-related health problems. However, recent trends indicate a shift in these patterns. Rates of heavy drinking among young adult women are increasing and converging with those of men. Women also tend to progress from heavy drinking to dependence more quickly than men, a phenomenon known as telescoping. Given these shifts, relying solely on biological sex to explain drinking behaviors may lack necessary precision. The authors of the new study sought to investigate gender role orientations as a more …