Attractiveness and its Role in Survival

Abstract

It may feel like society shapes the standard of attractiveness. The concept of beauty seems arbitrary and ever evolving. Women use methods such as plastic surgery, hair coloring, makeup and many more to achieve the standard of beauty of the time. However, there may be some scientific component to it all. Does the brain register any specific traits as being beautiful?_____ Are there constants of beauty standards that are maintained throughout different eras? This paper analyzes the connection between perceived attractiveness and its role in survival. Physiological processes and features such as the brain activity and the role of hormones can be used to show the hard wiring of the brain in recognizing and judging attractive traits. There are traits that are universally perceived as attractive due to their indication that a person has the potential to successfully reproduce. These features include the appearance of the skin, color of the hair and size of the feet. Scientific analysis of these features brings light to their roles in survival and how they are indicative of a person’s reproductive potential._____ Additionally, this paper serves to analyze the methods that women use to artificially recreate optimal traits in order to improve their appearance. These methods include the use of cosmetics and hair dyes, in addition to wearing high heels. These methods serve to mimic optimal physical traits; however, they can cause physical trauma and other medical problems such as cancer, skin damage and foot problems. Therefore, there may be significant health risks involved in the methods used to artificially mimic these attractive traits.