Keen on James Dean? Women don¿t find happy, smiling men and prefer moody types

By
Fiona Macrae

Last updated at 11:12 PM on 30th December 2011

Not big on smiles: James Dean typifies the moody man

Not big on smiles: James Dean typifies the moody man

It is said that if you smile, the world smiles with you. But if you are a man, you may be smiling alone.

Research shows that women don’t find happy men attractive.

The study, which helps explain the enduring appeal of James Dean, Marlon Brando and other film stars with broody good looks, found that expressions of pride and shame are more likely to win a girl’s heart.

In other words, nice guys finish last. But, perhaps typically, the same outlook is not found in men, who are said to be drawn to happy women.

Researchers say this may be because a smiling woman is seen as submissive and vulnerable.

In one of the first studies of its kind, psychologists from the University of British Columbia in Canada set out to find out if the long-standing advice to smile when meeting someone new is backed up by science.

More than a thousand men and women were shown pictures of faces making various expressions and asked to rate them for attractiveness. Some pictures of a neutral face were also included.

The women were least attracted to the smiling happy men and most interested in those whose head was held high with pride. They also found the men who looked ashamed rather attractive, the journal Emotion reports.

Researcher Jessica Tracy said: ‘Pride may signal a man’s competence and ability to provide for a partner and offspring.’

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
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My wife just said ‘i don’t think so..’

Defo rubbish, I’m the strong silent type and it puts women off to be honest

That’s rubbish!
But James Dean and Marlon Brando were gorgeous men! 🙂

I’ll take a happy chap over a proud, moody git any day.

Absolute RUBBISH!

When a man sees a smiling woman he thinks she wants to play. When a woman sees a frowning man she thinks he’s ready to do some hard work.

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