Evolutionary Theory and Self‐perception: Sex Differences in Body Esteem Predictors of Self‐perceived Physical and Sexual Attractiveness and Self‐Esteem

Abstract

Responses to the body esteem scale (Franzoi & Shields, 1984) and multiple regression were used to determine if evolutionary biological theory is relevant to an understanding of self‐perceived physical and sexual attractiveness and self‐esteem and to determine if physical and sexual attractiveness are the same construct. It was hypothesized that regression models of physical and sexual attractiveness would differ within and across sex groups and that models of self‐esteem would differ across sex groups in accordance with evolutionary theory. These hypotheses were supported. Attributes of the body related to fecundity and successful mothering characteristics predicted for women and attributes of the body related to strength and dominance predicted for men. In addition, attributes of the body dealing with sexual maturity were stronger predictors of sexual attractiveness. Physical and sexual attractiveness are not the same constructs. This research indicates that evolutionary bological theory can provide relevant insight for an understanding of self‐perceived attractiveness and self‐esteem.

The Relationships between Symmetry and Attractiveness and Mating Relevant Decisions and Behavior: A Review

“…Furthermore, the rapid development of breasts prior to and during puberty and their role in interactions between men and women indicates that the breasts may play a role in sexual selection [73,76,77]. This is not surprising because breasts are secondary sexual characteristics, and secondary sexual characteristics play a role in determinations of whether or not an individual is sexually mature, male or female, and can create and best care for children [15,16]. Also, breasts signal mate quality [78][79][80].…”

“…This competition takes place via display behavior where both sexes try to display the attributes that the opposite sex prefers. Since men place an emphasis on women with high reproductive fitness, femininity, and successful mothering potential [15,16,99] women display these attributes. They dress in ways that emphasize the body parts that index these attributes [124][125][126].…”

“…However, the eyes are not estrogen-mediated characteristics. But, the eyes get smaller with age [15]. So, eye size becomes a heuristic for youth and fertility.…”

“…The results from prior research indicate that evaluations of physical and sexual attractiveness can be guided by the execution of evolutionary adaptations based on finding the "best" mate and producing the "best" offspring [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Individuals focus on reproductively relevant characteristics of the male and female body and face in order to determine if the individual being rated is attractive and most reproductively fit (likely to be reproductively successful).…”

“…Individuals focus on reproductively relevant characteristics of the male and female body and face in order to determine if the individual being rated is attractive and most reproductively fit (likely to be reproductively successful). Consequently, attractiveness can be based on facial and bodily characteristics that index sexual maturity, gender identity, and phenotypic quality on facial and bodily characteristics that index sexual maturity, gender identity, and phenotypic quality [15][16][17]. Developmental stability also plays a role.…”