Abstract
The relationship between behavioral expressions of vulnerability and heterosexual attraction was explored. Based on previous literature, vulnerability was predicted to have a gender-specific enhancement effect on the attractiveness of female college students. A single-blind procedure was used to test the hypothesis that behavioral expressions of vulnerability would enhance the perceived attractiveness of females by male subjects. Subjects rated the desirability to date, and attractiveness of one of eight descriptions of oppositesexed and same-sexed stimulus persons, with each description depicting the stimulus person as dominant or vulnerable. Although limited support was found for the prediction, the results obtained strongly supported the relevance of a communications theory of sex in evaluating heterosexual attraction. The theory that dominance and vulnerability are complementary pairs rather than opponent traits in heterosexual attraction is discussed in the context of popular American culture.
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