A recent series of studies conducted by researchers aimed to explore the connection between lordosis posture, also known as arching the back, and sexual receptivity in women. While this posture has long been observed as a reliable signal of sexual readiness in many non-human animal species, its role and significance in human interactions have remained less understood. The findings, published in the journal Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology, of these investigations shed light on the potential significance of the lordosis posture in human sexual communication.
The research involved three studies utilizing realistic 3D generated stimuli to examine participants’ perceptions of sexual receptivity based on different postures. In Study 1, both men and women were asked to rate women’s arched back postures in standing positions. The results revealed that an increase in the arch of the back was associated with higher perceived sexual receptivity in women.
Study 2 aimed to determine whether sexual receptivity could be perceived from non-standing postures, namely supine and quadruped poses. Participants were once again asked to rate the stimuli, and the findings confirmed that sexual receptivity was perceived irrespective of the body posture adopted by women.
To test the specificity of the perceived sexual receptivity cue, Study 3 used a male model posing in the postures from Study 2. The results supported the hypothesis that the perception of sexual receptivity is specific to women, as the male model did not elicit the same response.
Collectively, these studies provide support for the sexual receptivity hypothesis of lordosis posture. The research findings demonstrate that an increase in the arch of the back is associated with higher ratings of sexual receptivity in women. Moreover, the perception of sexual receptivity is not limited to standing postures but extends to supine and quadruped poses as well.
It is important to note that while both men and women perceive the lordosis posture as a signal of sexual receptivity, their interpretations of the cue may differ. Men may consider it an indicator of sexual interest, influencing their attention towards mating-related behaviours. In contrast, women may associate the posture with intrasexual competitiveness. This suggests that men and women may respond differently to the same cue based on their respective reproductive strategies.
But the use of 3D avatars as stimuli may limit the generalizability of the findings. Future research could consider using real-life images or models to enhance ecological validity. Additionally, incorporating multiple manipulations and contextual primes may provide a more comprehensive understanding of the perceptions of sexual receptivity.
Moreover, considering participants’ sexual behaviours and employing measures of intrasexual competition could further illuminate the relationship between the lordosis posture and sexual receptivity. Exploring the influence of factors such as ethnic background, body shape preferences, and motion cues in future studies would contribute to a more nuanced understanding of this phenomenon.
This research contributes to our understanding of nonverbal communication in human sexual interactions. The findings highlight the potential significance of the lordosis posture as a cue of sexual receptivity in women and offer avenues for future research to delve deeper into the complexities of human mating behavior.
