Eye-tracking studies show men and women look at different areas of erotic images — men focus more on genitals; women on faces.
Men's eyes are attracted to genitalia, while women tend to concentrate on facial features when viewing erotic pictures, according to eye-tracking research conducted by scientists at the University of South Florida. The researchers used eye-tracking technology to track the gaze of study participants as they viewed various types of pornographic photographs. They found that males were more likely than females to spend time looking at visual cues related to sexual behavior, such as breasts and buttocks, whereas females were more interested in facial characteristics, particularly eyes.
The findings suggest that there may be biological differences between men and women that influence their attraction to particular body parts in images of the opposite sex. These differences may have evolved due to different reproductive strategies adopted by each gender. For example, males may prefer larger breasts because they indicate higher levels of female fertility, while females may seek out signs of masculine strength or dominance in male faces. It is also possible that cultural factors play a role in shaping these preferences.
Interestingly, the study found no difference in how often males and females looked at the genital area of nude models. This suggests that although men may have an initial preference for certain body parts, their interest can shift depending on other aspects of the image, such as context or emotional expression. Additionally, the findings could have implications for the design of online dating profiles, where users must choose from a limited selection of photos.
The study involved 20 heterosexual adults who viewed erotic images on a computer screen fitted with eye-tracking equipment. Participants were asked to describe their thoughts and feelings during the viewing process. The results showed that both genders experienced arousal, though males reported experiencing it faster and more intensely than females. While this finding has been replicated in previous research, it suggests that sexual arousal is not simply a matter of visual stimuli alone but rather involves complex interactions between hormones and psychology.
Further studies are needed to explore how these differences manifest across different media types and cultures. However, the current study offers insights into how men and women perceive and respond to sexual imagery and provides new evidence supporting the importance of facial cues in human attraction..