Using Sexual Selection Theories to Examine Contextual Variation in Heterosexual Women's Orientation Toward High Heels.

ABSTRACT: High heels are symbols of female sexuality and are "costly signals" if the risks of wearing them are offset by improving women's attractiveness to men. From a functionalist perspective, the costs versus benefits of wearing heels may vary according to personal and contextual factors, such as her effectiveness at competing for mates, or at times when such motives are stronger. Here, we examined potential differences between women (self-rated attractiveness, dyadic versus solitary sexual desire, women's age, competitive attitudes toward other women) and contextual variation (priming mating and competitive motives) in their responses to high heels. Study 1 (N = 79) and Study 2 (N = 273) revealed that self-rated attractiveness was positively related to orientation toward heeled shoes. When exam

SUBMITTER: Watkins C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7058566 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature