User:BigPapa1995/sandbox

UPDATED:

During the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle, women show a strong preference towards masculine male faces, as well as increased sensitivity to social presence and direct inter-sexual competitiveness[15]. In males, a masculine face has been positively correlated with fewer respiratory diseases and consequently, masculine features offer a marker of health and reproductive success[16]. The preference for masculine faces is only recorded in short-term mate choices. It’s therefore suggested that females are attracted to masculine faces only during ovulation as masculinity reflects a high level of fitness to ensure reproductive success. Whilst such preferences may be of lesser importance today, the evolutionary explanation offers reasoning as to why such effects are recorded.

As well as masculinity, females are also more sensitive to the scent of males who display high levels of developmental stability[17]. In a comparison of female college students, the results indicated that those normally-cycling were more receptive to the scent of shirts worn by symmetrical men when nearing peak fertility in their ovulatory cycle. The same women reported no such preference for the scent of symmetrical men when re-tested during non-fertile stages of the menstrual cycle. Those using the contraceptive pill, and therefore not following regular cyclical patterns, also reported no such preference. As with masculine faces, the ability to determine symmetry via scent was likely designed bynatural selection as a means to increase the probability of reproductive success through mating with a male offering strong genetics. As it would be advantageous for asymmetrical men to release a scent of symmetry, the female signal used to detect symmetry is presumed to be honest one (in that asymmetrical males cannot fake it)[18].

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During the ovulation stage of the menstrual cycle women prefer masculine faces and are more sensitive to the scent of a male who displays high developmental stability. These findings are explained through the evolutionary hypothesis that during ovulation, women are seeking a partner with high levels of reproductive fitness. In such, a symmetrical and masculine face offers an outwards indication as to the reproductive value of a prospective mate. The preference for masculinity is thought to only be the case during ovulation. Whilst long-term mate preference is fairly consistent, short-term preferences varied across cycle shifts. This supports the hypothesis that attractiveness towards masculinity is an evolutionary adaption.

During periods of hormonal imbalance, women also exhibit a peak in sexual activity. As these findings have been recorded for female-initiated sexual activity and not for male-initiated activity, the causation appears to be hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. BigPapa1995 (talk) 11:48, 2 March 2016 (UTC)