Emily Tooraen

Anthropology 1
Professor Arenson
October 5, 2015
Mate Selection
Although the guidelines of attractiveness differ for each human individual, choosing a
sufficient mate relies heavily on biological and evolutionary factors. From a heterosexual
females point of view, these biological factors include masculine characteristics influenced by
testosterone, pheromones and genetic similarity, as well as symmetry and other indicators of
health.
Male humans have played the evolutionary role of providing protection and displaying
strength for thousands of generations; according to Charles Darwins theory of natural selection,
those males with more characteristics influenced by testosterone have survived long enough to
pass on their genetics to future generations. A prominent brow, a pronounced jaw line, broad
shoulders, and a muscular build are all characteristics of a male with high levels of the sex
hormone testosterone. A deeper voice, as well as facial hair, are all traits that emerge with the
onset of a males sexual maturation. These visuals cues powerfully influence females biological
urge to pass on sturdy genetic traits, especially during ovulation, and have developed due to
sexual selection. Height is also a characteristic of sexual attractiveness in males that indicates the
ability to reach higher and perhaps gain an advantage over other physical threats or competition.
These masculine traits are biologically enticing, and have been for many generations, to women
wishing to procreate and produce viable offspring. These traits also indicate a mate that would

protect a female and provide her with the comfort of security, but not necessarily the comfort of
prolonged companionship.
Pheromones are key components to attraction that do not rely on visual cues; they are a
method by which humans can communicate through chemical signals that are neither seen nor
smelled, (Ben-Ari). These odorless pheromones are most prominently produced by both males
and females through the apocrine glands, located near the armpits and sexual organs. When a
female senses the pheromones of a potential mate, she is unconsciously evaluating their genetic
profile and figuring whether the males genetics are compatible with her own. Generally, females
are more attracted to males that possess similar traits; this can be because of early life influences,
but is mostly biological (Savin). However, both males and females are drawn to those with
differing immune systems, referred to as major histocompatibility complex (MHC), because their
offspring are more likely to evade diseases and maintain healthier immune systems. Furthermore,
women are more sensitive to scent than men, having the ability to smell a males sexual musk
from three feet away; this exemplifies that visual cues are not the only determining factor in mate
selection. Pheromones are key in determining whether two mates are genetically similar and
compatible, serving as an unseen, unconscious aspect in sexual selection.
Symmetry is a strong indicator of health; when a human possesses bilateral symmetry, it
indicates powerful genes and the ability to survive harsh conditions. An empirical study by
Grammar and Thornhill suggests that a person's bilateral symmetry may reflect both high
developmental quality and individual heterozygosity, (Grammar). Symmetry, as well as other
characteristics of strength, are judged unconsciously. Another attractive trait is the limbal ring;
this concerns a darkened area where the iris meets the whites of the eyes in some human beings.

Limbal rings indicate youth and genetic strength; desirable characteristics in a potential mate. A
low waist-hip ratio of about seventy percent is also desirable, approximately 0.8 to 1.0 in males,
indicating less vulnerability to cardio vascular diseases, statistically even cancer and diabetes, as
well as elevated fertility.
Although bioculturalism has immensely affected the standards that humans have for
beauty, these biological laws of attraction remain and are inherently at work in the majority of
human beings. Though masculine, testosterone heavy characteristics are sexually attractive and
display evolutionary dominance, women greatly value a mate that will provide and act as a long
term companion. Being that women have much less eggs than men have sperm, they value being
more selective and choosing a mate that will help to produce strong offspring but that will also
care for them as a human being.

Sources Cited

Ben-Ari, Elia T. "Pheromones: What's In A Name?." Bioscience 48.7 (1998): 505-511. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 2 Oct. 2015.
Grammer, Karl, and Randy Thornhill. "Human (Homo Sapiens) Facial Attractiveness And
Sexual Selection: The Role Of Symmetry And.." Journal Of Comparative
Psychology
108.3 (1994): 233. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 Oct. 2015.
Savin, John. "Beauty As A Visual Pheromone." Journal Of Cosmetic Dermatology 1.3
(2002): 172. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 Oct. 2015.