Do men really like pretty women?

         We have all these sayings about how beauty comes from within, that it’s in the eye of the beholder or that you’re beautiful no matter what they say, because words won’t bring you down. If we women are amazing just the way we are, then why is that when I type in “Why men like pretty women” on the search box over at Google, women all over are asking, why do men prefer to date bimbos than a clever woman? Or, here’s a winner: If God knows men like pretty women, then why does He create ugly women? (Someone actually responded, saying that without ugly people, there would be no pretty people – witty, huh?)

           It’s plastered all over the television, billboards and magazines – men like pretty women. Women, on the other hand, could care less about looks than how intelligent and good-natured a guy is. Besides, according to Harvard University researchers, a beautiful woman’s face is like cocaine, cash or chocolates to a young man’s brain. As a woman, I don’t know if that’s supposed to be flattering or downright insulting. I suppose it can make for a corny pick-up line or a wedding vow of a man guy that a poor soul has the misfortune of marrying.

         This is exactly why I often wonder if my tummy is flat enough, or if the pimple on my nose is morphing into some sort of fungi that guys are starting to notice. I’m sure all the other girls are no different – they’re probably even worse. Boob jobs, facelifts and all other lifts – it’s like creating Frankenstein’s bride! The prettier version, I suppose?

Not so pretty.

           Back in 1983, Shriley Rosenwasser and her colleagues tested this theory out by showing a couple of people slides of women and men clothed, as well as in bathing suits/trunks. Basically, what they wanted to find out was if there was any difference in visual attention between males and females regarding these stimuli. According to them, since women are more concerned about looking good, they’re likely to do more intrasex looking. Men, of course, are more likely to look at women because they don’t care how they look since they know the ladies still want them anyway. But kidding aside, men rate physical attractiveness as an important factor, which is why they check out women longer.

Tell me you're looking at this.

          The level of attractiveness was initially determined by asking people to rate the photos. Participants in the study were then shown the slides and allowed to control the speed of viewing, after which they were asked to jot down as many slides as they can remember. Using MANOVA, they found that men looked longest at women clothed and second longest at women in bathing suits. Women also looked longest at women clothed but second longest at men in bathing suits/trunks. The researchers suggested that the reason clothed women were the favorite of both groups is that there were more things to look at. However, the slides of the clothed men were rated as being most complex, yet they were least looked at. The researchers then said that perhaps differential complexity had nothing to do with the pattern of viewing. Another reason women looked more at fully clothed women is that these photos usually have women wearing accessories and jewellery, aside from the usual clothes. And when you’re a woman and you’re trying to look all dolled up, these are the easiest to manipulate.

         The findings are rather different from what I expected; I always thought women looked longer at men simply because they were good looking men. Maybe the men in the slides aren’t as good looking? Besides, we all have different preferences and standards for good looks. I suppose that’s one factor that should be accounted for in future studies. But kudos to the researchers for debunking the world’s theory about men: They’re not as perverted as we think they are.


Rosenwasser, Adams & Tansil (1983). Visual Attention as a Function of Sex and Apparel of Stimulus Object: Who Looks at Whom? Social Behavior and Personality, 11(2): 11-15.