Thoughts

January 22, 2003
How do we decide who we like?

People like to think that they are consciously in charge of their decisions, that rational and emotional thought provide an 'objective' basis for how they like others. A lot of research has shown that there are many invisible factors influence who we are interested in. For instance pheremones have been shown to steer us to people who have the right subliminal smell. This study found that birth control pills changed the type of men that they visually were attracted to.

Taking the contraceptive pill appears to change women's taste in men.

Psychologists have found that women who are taking the pill tend to fancy macho types with strong jaw lines and prominent cheekbones.

However, women who are not taking that form of contraception seem to be more likely to go for more sensitive types without traditionally masculine features.
Posted by Patrick at January 22, 2003 01:26 PM
Comments

Isn't it possible that women who like macho men are more likely to take the pill? And women who are into the sensitive types avoid the pill for some reason? That is, perhaps there's some other third characteristic that is driving both choices.

I don't see anything in the article to rule out the possibility that the women's preferences antedate their birth control choices.

Posted by: Katxena on January 31, 2003 11:07 AM
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