THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SEXUAL ATTRACTIVENESS TOWARDS BODILY ATTRIBUTES AND SEXUAL WELL-BEING IN RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

Past research shows that, in terms of physical attractiveness, both males and females prefer stereotypically sexually arousing body parts (e.g., breasts, genitals). However, these past research studies have been limited in scope, as they focus primarily on stereotypically sexually arousing body parts and offer little reasoning behind sexual preferences in bodily attributes. Additionally, to our knowledge, no research has examined the relationship between sexual attractiveness towards a partner’s bodily attributes and sexual well-being in sexual relationships. This study examined patterns of overall sexual attraction (OSA) towards body parts and attributes, sexual attraction towards a partner’s body parts and attributes (PSA), and their relationship to sexual well-being (e.g., sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, sexual arousal, and sexual distress). More specifically, this project a) examined individuals’ preferences in regard to sexual attractiveness towards bodily attributes; b) examined which specific characteristics are attractive about bodily attributes; and, c) examined how individuals’ preferences in OSA and PSA towards body parts and attributes affect their sexual well-being within sexual relationships. The current study hypothesized that stereotypically sexually arousing bodily attributes would be at the forefront of results, with non-stereotypically sexually arousing body parts also being mentioned. In addition, the current study hypothesized that higher levels of PSA towards bodily attributes will result in higher levels of sexual satisfaction, function, desire, and lower levels of sexual distress in relationships. The current study found that the most sexually attractive body parts and attributes were the mouth and lips, whereas the least sexually attractive were the feet. There were two main types of characteristics that participants found most attractive for body parts, whereas participants’ sexual attraction preferences were grouped into three main types of characteristics for bodily attributes. Additionally, OSA-PSA of body parts and attributes is strongly correlated with sexual well-being within relationships.