Eyes More Important Than Body In Attraction

The Associated Press

A study by Emory University researchers found that, contrary to popular opinion, men are more likely to look at a female's face before other areas when looking at pictures of naked women. The study also found that women tend to gaze at pictures of heterosexual sex longer than men.

Emory psychologist Kim Wallen says both findings, published in the journal Hormones and Behavior, shed light on sexual attitudes that really aren't all that mysterious when considered in a scientific light.

Wallen and his former graduate student, Heather Rupp, showed still photos of couples having sex to 30 women and 15 men between the ages of 23 and 28. Each was rigged up with a high-tech eye-tracking device to measure where his or her gaze went first, and how long it stayed there.

Wallen and Rupp say the study suggests that men's increased attention to faces may be related to higher activation in the part of the brain that processes emotional information and excitement. Facial expression is one way of showing an indication of interest in and enjoyment of sex.