CARNAL NATION

The New Zealand Herald reports that breasts are the first thing men notice about a woman. A study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior found that 47 percent of men notice a woman’s chest first. One third initially take note of the midriff and less than one fifth are first to notice a woman’s face.

PhD researcher Barnaby Dixson used Victoria University’s Eyelink 1000 tracking device to monitor the eye movement reaction of 36 male subjects. Participants were shown six naked images of the same woman each of which was digitally manipulated to change the size of her breasts, waist and hips.

Though men were quick to notice the woman’s breasts, the study found that the size of her chest had no impact on her attractiveness. What did influence her appeal was her waist-to-hip ratio. The theory goes that women with curves appear more fertile and therefore more attractive. This echoes the findings of previous research on female attractiveness. Dr. Devendra Singh explained that curvy bombshells like Marilyn Monroe and waif models like Kate Moss maintain their allure through the ideal waist-to-hip ratio of approximately 70 percent.

The men in the study were all European New Zealanders between the ages of 22 and 42. Though Dixson’s research may explain the evolutionary psychology behind sexual attraction, the researcher admits that it may also be meaningless. "At the end of the day, we have all these grandiose biological theories ... but it could be men just like looking at breasts” says Dixson. "There could be no scientific merit to the study at all."