DMCA
In press, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology Red enhances women’s attractiveness to men: First evidence suggesting universality
BibTeX
@MISC{Elliot_inpress,,
author = {Andrew J. Elliot and Jessica L. Tracy and Adam D. Pazda and Alec T. Beall},
title = {In press, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology Red enhances women’s attractiveness to men: First evidence suggesting universality},
year = {}
}
Share
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
OpenURL
Abstract
Recent research in the U.S. and Europe indicates that viewing red enhances men’s attraction to women. This red effect may reflect a basic predisposition shared across cultures, and may thus represent a functional human universal – that is, a psychological process that carries the same meaning in all human societies (Norenzayan & Heine, 2005). We conducted a first test of this universality hypothesis by examining the influence of red on attraction among men living in an isolated traditional small-scale society in Burkina Faso where red carries explicitly negative associations. The results indicated that the red effect is present in Burkina, and that it emerges in culturally appropriate expressions of attraction. These findings represent first evidence suggesting that red may operate as something of a linga franca in the human mating game.
Keyphrases
first evidence experimental social psychology red red effect red enhances men recent research human mating game psychological process linga franca functional human universal isolated traditional small-scale society norenzayan heine basic predisposition first test appropriate expression negative association human society burkina faso universality hypothesis
