What Do We Consider Eye-Catching?: The Psychology of Attraction

ATTENTION! Psychology of Attraction What do we consider eye-catching? HOW DO WE CAPTURE ATTENTION? Factors like symmetry, color and shape are all attractive to the human eye SYMMETRY Plato wrote this on his theory of "GOLDEN PROPORTIONS" the width of an ideal face would be 2/3s its length » Science has proven that symmetry is inherently attractive to the human eye a nose would be no longer than the dist- » This defined as similarity between the left and right sides, rather than Plato's Theory of Proportions ance between the eyes » [Babies will spend more time staring at a photo of a symmetrical person than one who is asymmetrical] Symmetry as a preference is a trait seen in many Victor Johnston of New Mexico State University uses a program called FacePrints » He shows facial images of varying attractiveness to viewers who rate the pictures for beauty on a scale of 1-9 different animals » EX. FEMALE SWALLOWS PREFER MALES WITH » Pictures with the best ratings are merged together and lower ratings are taken out LONGER, MORE SYMMETRICAL TAILS » The trial ends when the viewer narrows down the selection to a perfect 10 Scientists believe that symmetry reflects a strong immune system » The perfect 10 is always highly symmetrical » THEREFORE, BEAUTY AND SYMMETRY INDICATE MODEL WITH OVERLAY OF BEAUTY MASK BASED ON DIVINE PROPORTIONS.THIS SHOWS THAT A SYMMETRICAL FACE IS BEAUTIFUL ROBUST GENES THE COLOR OF ATTRACTION Humans react strongly to color Red is the color that calls our attention the most. This is why it is used in stop signs, » Evokes feelings of fear, anger and passion » The mood of red changes dramatically when lightened or darkened alerts and traffic lights." » Calms the emotions; lowers blood pressure » Blue is associated with loyalty and trustworthiness » Refreshing and relaxing » Closely related to nature and growth » Can bring feelings of joy or convey sickliness » Yellow is inviting and can create an open atmosphere » Denotes authority and power » Can convey sophistication or villainy THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SHAPES « Energy « Balance « Science « Religion Logic » Order » Containment » « Power Security » « Masculinity Aggression « Strength « Wholeness Femininity » Warmth » « Movement « Connectedness Comfort » « Protection Sensuality » « Family Love » WHAT DO WE FIND UNATTRACTIVE? ASYMMETRY REPUGNANCE is an evolutionary defense mechanism Lack of balance can be an automatic turn-off » TENDS TO BE VISUALLY UNAPPEALING » As we realize the nature of a potentially lethal substance, our auto response is disgust Asymmetry also affects behavior and reactions » This is the reason for near-universal repugnance at things that are putrid or oozy » SOMEONE CHANGING LANES IN TRAFFIC IS AN » Most things found to be extremely unattractive would cause harm if ingested or touched EXAMPLE OF ASYMMETRY WHICH CAN CAUSE QUICK AND AGGRESSIVE REACTIONS CLASHING COLORS Colors that clash: » Combinations that follow the natural brightness of colors are generally appealing « THEY AREN'T OPPOSITES » Combinations that contradict natural brightness are generally unappealing « THEY AREN'T THEY ARE » ADJACENT ON SIMILAR IN THE COLOR PROMINENCE WHEEL & FIGHTING FOR ATTENTION Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ICONICDISPLAYS.COM |Iconic Displays DISPLAYS THAT WIN Sources: http://facialbeauty.org/divineproportion.html http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=22782 http://www.visualexpert.com/Resources/lawsofattention.html http://legacy.jyi.org/volumes/volume6/issue6/features/feng.html http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id%3why-are-male-birds-more-c http://www.csustan.edu/oit/WebServices/SupportResources/PsychOfShapes.html DEVELOPED BY N NOWSOURCING http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/27/how-color-affects-our-moo_n_1114790.html http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/books/review/thats-disgusting-unraveling-the-mysteries-of-repulsion-by-rachel-herz-book-review.html