Stressed Men are Less Attractive

Research carried out at the University of Abertay in Dundee investigated the link between hormones and attractiveness and found women are more attracted to men with low stress levels.

Psychology lecturer Dr Fhionna Moore led the research which involved showing test subjects "composite" images of faces with different hormone levels and recording their reactions.

The study - which is published on Wednesday in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal - found a strong link between low levels of the stress hormone cortisol in men and how attractive they were to women.

The tests also challenged the theory that "alpha males" are more attractive to women. No clear link was found between attractiveness and high levels of the sex hormone testorsterone, as had previously been claimed. Other scientists had claimed that high levels of testosterone - which are thought to have evolutionary links to male dominance of rivals and the strength of the immune system - are linked to levels of male attractiveness. But the researchers found that men with low stress levels are in fact more attractive, partly because this suggests "strong" genes to be passed on to offspring.

Dr Moore said: "Previous studies suggested a link between high levels of testosterone and greater attractiveness because of health benefits, as only males with a strong immune system could cope with high levels of this sex hormone.

"However, our study suggests this may not be the case at all. We analysed different levels and combinations of cortisol and testosterone, and found a strong link between low cortisol levels - which is present when someone has low stress levels - and being highly attractive to women."

The study also showed that female attraction to men with low stress levels was at its highest during the fertile phase of the female menstrual cycle.

Dr Moore added: "We believe that the link between low stress levels and high attractiveness to women is because an ability to handle stressful situations suggests a strong genetic make-up, the future suitability of a partner, and their ability to pass on 'good genes' to their children.

"Interestingly, our research also showed increased attractiveness for men with consistent hormone levels. So low cortisol and low testosterone, or high cortisol and high testosterone, were both found to be more attractive than one level being high and the other low."