fandomhigh | Sexual Anthropology, Tuesday, Period 2

"Good morning," Brennan greeted the class once everyone seemed to be in a seat. "Today we're talking about the role physical attraction plays in sexual selection. You'll often hear that everyone has his own taste, but, in fact, there are certain signifiers that are universal across most cultures."

"Due to time constraints and your level, I will not be going into as much detail as one might like, but if you're especially interested I can recommend the work of Natalie Angier or Desmond Morris as good popular science authors covering this topic."

"Now" -- she smiled -- "we talk about what those universal signifiers are. For both genders, people are attracted to those who look young and healthy as a symbol of fertility, and those with symmetrical features as a sign of good health. In evolutionary biology terms, all of those features help to assure us that our potential mate would create strong children, and that is a hard-wired preference even when we aren't looking to create new life. In addition, we tend to be drawn to the average. Faces created by using a computer to mathematically blend many images are often rated as more attractive than any single image."

"For men, women and males seeking male partners tend to look for a V-shaped torso, a muscular frame and height about 1.1 times that of the average woman. Women prefer more prominent masculine features when fertile and more feminine, soft features at other times. Men commonly seen as attractive often blend those elements. For example, Paul Newman" -- she flashed a photo of the actor -- "had a wiry frame that offered strength without the bulk that might indicate an overabundance of testosterone, highly symmetrical features, a feminine mouth and eyes, but a very masculine nose and brow ridge."

"There's been much more research done on what makes women attractive, possibly because most scientists are male." She smiled thinly at that. "Features such as a symmetrical face, full lips, and low waist-hip ratio are commonly considered physically attractive on a woman, because they are thought to indicate physical health and high fertility to a potential mate. Other attractive aspects include correlates of fertility such as youth, a waist-hip ratio of about .7; full, perky and symmetrical breasts; a body mass proportion that fits into the societal ideal; blond hair; full red lips; clear eyes; lustrous hair; and good muscle tone. If you look at someone like Heidi Klum, you'll see all of those features."

She paused to sip from her coffee. "Today, I've compiled a large group of magazines containing images of a wide range of celebrities from the last thirty years. I would like for each of you to select one person you find attractive and explain how he or she fits into the general societal ideal."

[OOC: Images of Paul Newman and Heidi Klum may be somewhat NSFW -- his is shirtless, hers is in a Victoria's Secret show. Please see my OOC note on selecting photos. OCD is done!]

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"You need to lighten up, you know that?" Chuck said. "You're going to give yourself a stroke if you keep yourself so tightly wound."

"I'm not uptight, I'm sensible," Sam said. "Not that you're ever going to agree with me on that."

"You're right. I'm not," he said, sighing. "It's fine. That's why you have me around. One of these days I'll get you to de-sensible...ize or whatever."

"Didn't you already try that, with the strippers and the trip to jail?" Sam pointed out.

"Now see I thought that was fun," Chuck said. "Had you been more laid back, you would have thought it was fun too. We'll work to that, don't worry."

"I'm afraid I have too many morals, and I won't be losing them anytime soon," Sam said. "Can't we just say I have enough morals for the both of us and be done with it?"

"But I like making you have fun with me," Chuck said with a slight pout. The pout was all an act of course, even if what he said was true.

"You like torturing me," Sam insisted. "And making me uncomfortable. And watching me squirm."

"That's part of the fun of it, yes," Chuck said, smirking. "You like spending time with me too, don't lie."

"I...might possibly find it interesting to be around you," Sam said. "When I have no other ways to spend my time."

"You liiiiiiiike me," Chuck sang.

"I do not, shut up," Sam whined, a step away from bitchfacing.

"Yeeeeeeeah you do," Chuck said, snickering. "There's no shame in admitting it."

Oh, Chuck. Yes there was.

"I'm admitting nothing," Sam said, sliding down further in his chair. Nothing more than he'd already admitted, at least.

Sexual Anthropology, Tuesday, Period 2

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