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New Study Finds Expansive Postures Makes You 'More Romantically Appealing'

Is Manspreading Sexy? Apparently So
smiling couple making yoga exercises outdoors
innalilit via Getty Images
smiling couple making yoga exercises outdoors

We've all been told spreading our legs on public transport is unattractive (especially when men do it), but this might not be the case according to a new study.

So those looking for a date -- listen up.

The study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found "expanding the body in physical space" made humans more attractive.

Two different field studies were undertaken: a speed-dating event and an experiment using a Global Positioning System-based dating application.

Heading the study, Tanya Vacharkulksemsuk -- post-doctoral research fellow at the University of California, Berkeley -- and her team studied 144 speed dating videos while also setting up two online dating profiles.

One of the profiles displayed an image of a person sitting with "contractive" nonverbal posture -- arms close to the body and legs closed whereas the second uploaded photos with "expansive" posture such as spreading out.

The results from both studies submitted "expansive body posture increases one's romantic desirability."

Associate Professor at the School of Psychology at the University of Western Australia, Romina Palermo said the study gives an idea of how first impressions work from bodies.

Palermo has conducted extensive research on first impressions from faces rather than bodies.

"People very quickly judge others' trustworthiness and approachability from their faces, bodies and the interaction of both.

"With attractiveness, I think faces normally have precedence over body, but there are definitely interactions between the two of them," Palermo said.

So while you're on the train on the way home tonight, have a think about the way you want to sit.

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