Research published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior examined how the length of a person’s legs influenced a their physical attractiveness.
The study of 40 women and 40 men in Japan found that average leg-to-body ratios were considered most attractive for both sexes.
PsyPost interviewed Satoru Kiire of Hosei University about his study. Read his responses below:
Why were you interested in this topic?
I have been interested in human mating and physical attractiveness. Although preferences are different for different people, the fact remains that there are men and women who are judged “physically attractive” by almost all people. An evolutionary perspective may solve this question. Leg length especially is one physical trait that is a factor for judging attractiveness. However, previous findings were not consistent. Hence, I addressed the relationship between leg length and physical attractiveness in a scientific manner.
What should the average person take away from your study?
I examined the relationship between physical attractiveness and leg-to-body ratio (LBR; which is an indicator of leg length). In particular, I used computer-generated 3D images as stimuli, and therefore these stimuli were the same as one another except for leg length. Results showed that average leg lengths were most attractive in general rather than extremely long or short leg lengths.
Additionally, although extreme leg lengths were less attractive than average leg lengths, shorter legs were more acceptable in males, while longer legs were more acceptable in females.
Are there any major caveats? What questions still need to be addressed?
I demonstrated the relationship between physical attractiveness and leg length by using computer-generated 3D images which were identical except leg length. However, physical attractiveness is not determined by only leg length. Furthermore, leg length and other physical traits co-vary. Future research should examine the relationship between physical attractiveness and various physical traits using a more integrated approach.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Results of this study should not be interpreted as suggesting that some physical traits are “better” than others. That is, attractiveness should not be used as a basis for passing value judgments. This is the stance taken by evolutionary psychology as well. That is, these findings do not argue for the survival of the fittest. These findings are only factual descriptions for understanding how people behave.
People’s mating strategies, including physical attractiveness judgements, are highly complex and varied and remain a big puzzle. The process of unraveling these mysteries is a truly exciting adventure.
The study was titled: “Effect of Leg-to-Body Ratio on Body Shape Attractiveness.”