Summer Girls Come and Summer Girls go: Why Men Like 'dumb-looking' Women

I was down celebrating the Memorial Day weekend in Manasquan New Jersey.. Although it's not really considered to be a part of the "Jersey Shore" Guido/guidette fest, you will find plenty of drunk Snooki lookalikes dripping down from the likes of Belmar bars that you see showcased on the MTV show.

But Hey- it's summer time. Whether your getting black-out before 9pm or taking the walk of shame in the morning, everyone has their fun. But this wasted whirl of fun had me thinking when I came across a new study that asked whether men prefer dumb girls over intelligent ones for short-term flings.

The study involved a group of undergraduates who put together a list of female gestures that signaled low-intelligence, which they called 'exploitability cues'. Some of the 88 signs included; lip licking/biting, sleepy, intoxicated, tight clothing, partying etc..

After showing a separate group of male undergrads pictures of women in embodying each gesture they concluded that the men found these women to be appealing and were eager to have one-night stands with them.

However, they didn't see the liquored-up women to be more attractive than smart women when it came to thinking about them in long-term relationships. When the men were asked to judge the drunk women in the pictures as potential girlfriends or wives they had completely lost their appeal on them. ( Points for all the smart and classy girls out there!)

A follow-up study was also done to show what kind of man would be most aware of these 'exploitability cues' and more likely to pursue women with them. This study found that more promiscuous men who lacked in the personal empathy and warmth departments were the ones most attuned to the cues (not really a shocker there) and concluded that to them,this indicated that not all men are sleazy d-bags when it comes to pursuing sex.

Take the Study for what it's worth, but I interpreted it as proving the following:  1- ditsy doesn't deliver 2- you won't or you most likely will not find a boyfriend if your three sheets to the wind and 3- the guys participating in this study didn't take into account the effect drunk goggles have when your out getting sloshed picking up even more sloshed girls at the bar.


                 Another one of those famous videos " Whart Drunk Girls Say"

Swimwear Advice from a Psychologist

Obviously no one "likes" trying on bathing suits, unless perhaps your a Victoria Secrets model.. but maybe they have days they feel bloated too( but probably not).


I was reading an article on a new study that found women can slip into a bad mood just from imagining themselves trying on bathing suits. 


Ok, yes..makes sense.. you might be day dreaming about your next shopping expenditure but its still for a bathing suit.


The study links the act of  'imagining yourself wearing a swimsuit' to an increase of self-objectification (which is a psych term for looking and judging yourself based on how you think other people look at you).


Marika Tiggemann, study researcher and psychologist surveyed female undergraduates on different scenarios to test the impact of clothing on self-objectification. 


The study found that imagining wearing a swimsuit in a dressing room made women self-objectify more than a public scenario like wearing a swimsuit while walking down a beach.


Tiggerman explains that a dressing room scene can be more unnerving because of potential objectifying  features like bright lights, lots of mirrors and of course the decision of whether or not you look good enough  to purchase the swimsuit. 


So again, Ok- I get it.. trying on bathing suits is annoying and less fun then strolling on the beach wearing one.. sure, doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out... 


However...


It wasn't the theme of the study that caught my attention.. it was the good doctors advice that blew my mind.


To prevent self-objectification she says to, " avoid mirrors and comparisons with others and focus on activities that emphasize the function, not the appearance of the body.."


Really? That is her professional advice? Just avoid mirrors? Why don't you tell us all- because we all have at least one insecurity with our bodies-that we should throw a brown bag over our heads and avoid life- there are mirrors and reflections everywhere lady! And don't compare yourself with others? OK fine point, but a point I assume we already know but you can't help compare something to something else at some point- its a part of life. Like comparing a new guy to an ex. I like that restaurants Clam chowder more than the others etc...and lastly 'focus' on the swimsuits function and not the appearance? We're not buying gym clothes, if were going to be practically naked the small amount of material we are going to be wearing better be somewhat attractive.


I just hope this is not the kind of advice people pay this doctor for in any one-on-one sessions.. 


Swimsuit season is upon us.. and unless you don't plan on going to the beach or pool you might as well prepare yourself for a less than happy afternoon at the mall ... and here is a tip from me.. wear or bring high heels.. the higher the better they will always make you look taller and slimmer when your trying on suits ( not that I expect you to wear them ON the beach-leave those looks for the Jersey Shore girls-) But while your in the changing rooms it helps-trust me.