Psychology Today Posts Study On Why Black Women Aren’t Pretty

by Justin Fenner | 1:29 pm, May 17th, 2011

You would think someone with a job title like “evolutionary psychologist at the London School of Economics” would use their intelligence and training to try and solve life’s great mysteries. But Satoshi Kanazawa, who has such a title, just wrote an article called Why Are Black Women Rated Less Physically Attractive Than Other Women, But Black Men Are Rated Better Looking Than Other Men? The article, billed early on as racist hogwash, got so much negative attention when it was posted Sunday on Psychology Today that it had been taken down by Monday afternoon. (You can see screenshots of it at BuzzFeed.)

Kanazawa, who wrote the article for The Scientific Fundamentalist blog he keeps for Psychology Today, posited that there are “marked race differences in physical attractiveness among women, but not among men,” and then set out on a hunt for an answer as to why that is.

His study used data collected by three interviewers who rated the hotness of a group of people on three occasions over the course of seven years. Then that data was then, somehow, forced into objectivity using factor analysis, a statistical procedure normally used to eradicate errors in variables measured in actual quantities, like number of votes cast or millimiters of liquid evaporated.

Kanazawa then used his results to explain that while black women are less attractive than women in every other race, black men are equally as attractive or more attractive than men of other races. He goes through a number of reasons why this might be (black women, he says, have a higher average body mass index than women who aren’t black, and “Africans have more mutations in their genomes than other races” and those mutation loads “significantly decrease physical attractiveness”) before settling on what he thinks might be an actual cause for his study finding black women so unattractive: testosterone.

The only thing I can think of that might potentially explain the lower average level of physical attractiveness among black women is testosterone. Africans on average have higher levels of testosterone than other races, and testosterone, being an androgen (male hormone) affects the physical attractiveness of men and women differently. Men with higher levels of testosterone have more masculine features and are therefore more physically attractive. In contrast, women with higher levels of testosterone also have more masculine features and are therefore less physically attractive. The race differences in the level of testosterone can therefore potentially explain why black women are less physically attractive than women of other races, while (net of intelligence) black men are more physically attractive than men of other races.

And here’s why all of that is stupid. There are stunningly gorgeous people of every race. There are also people of every race who are, well, just plain not good-looking. Not only is beauty a totally subjective thing that cannot be captured by science, it’s also just flat out racist to begin a study with the premise that one race of people — no matter which race it is — is as a group less physically attractive than another. The only thing this study proves is that Kanazawa and the people he hired to survey the attractiveness of the people in the study don’t find black women attractive. And, you know, their loss.

Kanazawa has been known to make controversial statements in the past — he once posited that people who are politically liberal tend to be a lot smarter than conservatives, and that Muslim men who decide to become suicide bombers do so because they’re sexually frustrated. Time and again, his studies have been called out for being unsound statistically and motivated more by race, sex and religion than by anything grounded in numbers. Notice that with this article, Kanazawa establishes no causal relationship between the reason he suggests for black women being rated less attractive and the fact that his numbers rate them as less attractive. In other words, he’s pulling his argument out of thin air.

The study is offensive — there’s no doubt about that. But we can’t decide what we’re more offended by: The fact that someone finds black women so totally not gorgeous or that he tried to use science to prove it.

Why Black Women Are Less Physically Attractive Than Other Women [BuzzFeed]

Black Women Attractive Study London School of Economics Psychology Today Satoshi Kanazawa

http://twitter.com/jesswall JESSWALL

This is so terribly offensive. His loss, and I’m more offended by him trying to use science to prove it.. ridiculous.
Anonymous

I am bored with people being offended. I want his science checked and it better be flawless or his career should go down the toilet. We can deal with facts, European people tend to have lighter skin than African people. See physical attributes that correlate with race, so I don’t see this stuff as a big deal. If people have a low self esteem they need to develop their spiritual depth. A women’s peak attractiveness is mainly during their most fertile years. That means a man will get 10-15 years of real pretty assuming weight gain doesn’t knock the socks off of that which it usually does for both sexes.

We are just smart animals, we should get over ourselves.
http://twitter.com/Phrozen06 Christopher McKinnon

hmmmm
http://twitter.com/Phrozen06 Christopher McKinnon

hmmmm
Multi-Racial

I am wrote to the CEO and President of Psychology Today because I do find the article offensive (yes a woman, multi-racial) and wanted them to know my concerns- I would encourange anyone else who was offended or enlightened to do the same. I believe that any publication attempting to stay relavent sometimes does things to get attention- this is no different. They wanted attention but went after the wrong thing. If presented with facts, perhaps I would have tried to understand point of view being presented. Mr. Kanzawas only left me wondering about his own personal experiences or lack there of.
Estatesdenizens

Hogwash. Some of these ‘professors’ need a life. If everyone wants a fatter ass like Beyonce and are Botox-ing it up, i wonder where this research gets its bearing from. Even Strauss Kahn went for a Black fat ass just last week. Maybe this Jap guy has had ass-doors slammed in his face a few times. I reckon most Black women don;t really rate Japs or the Chinese. The general thinking out there is; their ‘weapon’ down there are pretty disappointing
Lastdepression

I as a black male fortunately married to a white woman must say that I do agree with his article.
Charlie79

Last time I checked, black women were very attractive. Yes I am a black woman and I don’t understand why a chinese man or asian or whatever he wants to call himself is talking about black women. Last time I checked asian men are notorious for being small in the lower region area also, other women are flocking to get botox in there lips, buttock transplants or panties with built in cushion in the buttock area, and boob jobs to name a few. These elective surgeries that women of different races are flocking too, black women already have these features. This is what I like to call au nautural! We don’t have to go out and buy these surgeries. Point blank period!
Joi2me

To make an article stating why black women are so unattractive had to come from somewhere. It sounds like he’s been rejected and is lashing out. I wouldnt find it surprising if he secretly fancied a black woman because the ones that say the most offensive things feel the most insecure. And this is comimg from a white woman, and he is right i love black guys, theyre hot!!! Japanese guys arent hot personally. Maybe he should write an article discussing why asian men arent attractive.
Howee

Oh come on you Black girls! Get over yourselves! Generally specking: It might be true. But so what?
Lots of you are in very good happy relationships,or have had guys chasing you left right & centre. Is that not true? And you must agree,beauty is always going to be in the eyes of the behold. Is that not true too?
And lastly, you know as well as everyone else, some of the most stunning & very desirable women that are able the current a listers are black. Correct? So why get so defensive about all this? Personally. I have only being out with two black girls in my life & I am 52 and black! Why? I al the esthetically attractive black girls I met were far and few between, and for me? Were way out of my league at the time.And that was fine.
But for every one black beauty, there was 20 non black beauty’s or more that was just or more appealing.Well the law of averages took care of the rest.hahaha. But look at it this way. Black women will always be desired, maybe not as much much as others due to demography, Testosterone ,or otherwise! But you wise always find a place in the hearts of your fellow men. If not all of them? Well, thats fine. Afterall: No one can be all things to all men can they?
http://twitter.com/CestDerrode Derrode L. Rowe

OMG. Here the hell we go with this anti race crap.
http://twitter.com/CestDerrode Derrode L. Rowe

Thank you. People who are insecure about whats been rejecting thing always tend to lash out on the kind that rejected them. at the end of the day, it don’t take a scientific evolutionary psychologist or whatever the hell he is to realize he juvenile in his comment. And to try to uses science as proof about something he’s so wrong in. to realize he juvenile in his comment. And to try to uses science as proof about something he’s so wrong in.
laney

well i personally think that a black male that married to a white women is very weak and cant handle a sister!
WTF?

What did you think of your mother? I would never marry a white man that hated his own race. I would want to be with someone that was proud of himself and his heritage, and loved his wife just the way she is. You do realize the most folks would agree that you have a negative self image of yourself since you think ALL black women are unattractive and that all black men have to offer is sex or a sex drive. Not only do we (black women) have to stand up for ourselves, but also for you because you don’t see folks laughing behind your back. God bless the beautiful woman you are married to and I hope that one day you seek therapy to learn to love yourself and your ancestors.
laney,dina

black is beautiful get with it
Bruce clifton

i’m not a scientist, but that is the stupidest barrage of racist crap that i’ve heard in a long time. that’s saying a lot, considering the recent rantings of basement head trump. current evidence would contradict this idiots non-theory. the thick hips, generous round buttocks and luscious lips possessed by black women are admired and immitated around the world. besides that assigning beauty is totally subjective and it’s also cultural. just another racist for the ignorant masses who need him.
blackandbeautiful

i don’t get why people always try to masculinize us. generally black women are more agressive because we are subjected to more racism and sexism so we have to be a bit tougher. that’s just how it is. but how does can he say that we have more testosterone? is that the reason that we are extremely curvy and not built straight up and down like a boy??! he’s just writing crap like that because he’s a white people worshipper and he really really really wants to be accepted by them!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Smith-Jim/100001240399874 Smith Jim

I think black women are incredibly sexy!
guest?

OH my gosh i wasn’t aware in any means where in which human attractiveness may be empirically proven and measured…wow…three variables and not 1000 (i thought larger the basis of measurement indicates precision) – his study is absolutely seriously flawed on so much level ….oh my gosh…this man is an idiot..trying to measure attractiveness objectively whilst their’s no such benchmark establish
Blackdiva 44

And I’m a black women fortunately married to a white man and must say I do not agree with his comment that black men are more attractive than most…Back at yeh!
http://www.facebook.com/ck.browne Ck Browne

I hate to say this but there is a grain of truth to this. I’m no scientist but I can say this. I’ve just always noticed growing up and now, that Black women with more European features are always considered beautiful. While yes they are, I’ve noticed that Black women with round noses , full thick lips, dark eyes , kinky hair( yes I relax my hair cause I’ve always hated combing it.) are not seen as pretty or beautiful. I’m sure I’m not the only woman who has experienced this.

Granted beauty is from within, but we are a visual society. What we look like is a part of what makes people want to get to know us. Yes I know many of you will disagree with me on this. There was an Asian actress who said, when people can recognize part of themselves in someone , we tend to find that attractive. ( Massive paraphrase there, but its the gist of it).
I personally don’t consider myself a knock out. I have good days, and I have days I know I look busted.
Maybe the scientists should work on things like , I don’t know birth control for men, or finding a cure for the common cold, or more importantly aids.
Just another person’s point of view
neverescapedhighschool

This article is purely in response to the online gender war that some black men have been waging on black women. People from all of the other races find the spectacle quite amusing and will continue to add wood to the fire. It makes them feel superior to blacks to see blacks in such disarray. These type of people would be totally giddy and filled with delight to see American black men raiding the houses of black women raping and killing them in mass numbers. Good job to all of the bitter black people out there who throw all of us under the bus therefor proving to others that all black people are savages. But really, to put it lightly I don’t like any of you very much and if the lot of you were simultaneously struck by lightning I can’t say that I would be that depressed about it. And before anyone thinks I’m too evil there are people who survive getting struck by lightning.
PZ

More European the features, the more attractive a woman is considered. Asians, South Asians, Middle Eastern, etc…all have different plastic surgery procedures to make us look more “white.” Sad but true, the beauty ideal is White.
Jeff0002

All I can say to your post is: Sad…
Eisteinliveshere

Having lived in Japan for several years, I can attest to the fact that overall, Japanese social culture is based on a kind of purist-ethnic belief system that can ONLY breed a kind of racism as a byproduct. Japan is incredibly homogeneous and generally (again, not everyone) prejudice against other ethnic groups or races. There are huge issues of racism against other Asians, especially Chinese, Korean and Philippino people. Europeans, North Americans, Brazilians, Latinos and African people all live in Japan, but unfortunately their experience and knowledge of these people is largely based on fleeting personal or business interaction, news, television and entertainment media. I’d be curious to know who made up his study group – where were these people from, what kind of diverse background do they have, etc.
On a cheeky note, this article won’t help secure Beyonce for a Save Japan concert. This kind of rubbish is like reading a neo nazi recruitment pamphlet. In Japan, we would call this baka – very very stupid.
Colin

i love love love black girls who cares about that stupid guy he is what is known as stupid!! once you go black you know u never go back!!! Big LOVE to all the beautiful BLACK woman out there :) xxx
Brown Bettie

Black women should absolutely be offended by Kanazawa’s ridicululously racist article guised as scientific research. There is nothing objective about it- it’s purely based on subjective reasoning with no true empirical data to back up his claims. It quite obviously appears to have no goal other than to uphold the White European Patriarchal standard of beauty by specifically denigrating black women and backing it up with ignorant stereotypes. We are offended because it is a direct attack on Black women and we cannot, should not allow anyone to spew propaganda that we are less than our White counterparts in any way- physcially, intellectually, or spiritually. “Light” skin is only ideal if you have bought into, been brainwashed and/or socialized to believe the White European Patriarchal standard of beauty is ideal. Black IS beautiful- always has been, always will be!!!
Bruce clifton

speak on it sister. in my mind all women are beautiful in their own way. black women take a back seat to no women. and the fact that they have blossomed so spectacularly (see michelle obama, oprah et-al) in spite of just this kind of racist drivel shows their mettle. speak on it sister.
http://twitter.com/wavyJACKS jacqueline

Man, this is one MESSED up “research study.” Whomever decided to give this guy a Ph D deserves a big hug.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Gregory-Smith/100001741334953 Gregory Smith

Whatever, I think Paris Hilton is pretty, will Psychology Today do an article telling me that she isn’t pretty? Looks are a matter of personal taste, I don’t have to justify my preferences to anyone.
http://libertarians4freedom.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/people/Foluke-Oba/1064336361 Foluke Oba

slave mentality, all of the ethnic minorities have been brainwashed to believe white is the ideal, in reality it is a tool to keep one race on top; the white race.we all have to free ourselves from self hatred and inferiority complexes. Beauty is truly subjective I see different types of beauty in everybody its all down to personal attraction.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Foluke-Oba/1064336361 Foluke Oba

slave mentality, all of the ethnic minorities have been brainwashed to believe white is the ideal, in reality it is a tool to keep one race on top; the white race.we all have to free ourselves from self hatred and inferiority complexes. Beauty is truly subjective I see different types of beauty in everybody its all down to personal attraction.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FWMC26VL6E77UNHUKJAKTOV63U carbon12

two words: brown p***y

four more words: highest rate of STDs

other thoughts:
It is a real shame the guy had to read an agenda into the stats. If there is any real discernible causation/correlation, at least post real stuff that is really supported by the straight unmolested data. It sounds like he had a no-correlation situation and just decided to BS one.

Even though I’m not generally attracted to black women, I find at the minimum: Aisha Tyler, Andy Allo, Beyonce, Kerry Washington, Vanessa Williams, Thandie Newton, Garcelle Beauvais, Marsha Thomason, Gaby Union, Lisa Bonet, Lela Rochon, and Halle Berry all very pretty.

If those are just a few of the famous ones, then there must be tens or hundreds of millions more just as cute who don’t have high-profile jobs.

Also, if there was any skew in the data for men vs. women, it’s because its significantly easier to both older and uglier in general and still be considered an attractive man.
http://www.facebook.com/Benoit.Fries Benoit Fries

I think the problem is not using science to study beauty or differences in ethnic groups (there are no races in human specie, btw) , but not seeing that beauty is a social construct that will vary with time, culture, etc. If there is a difference in perception, it is only a sign that medias are biased.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000128053472 May Hapenga

Stop trying to sweeten up racism. can’t say something that contradicts the other eg ‘for every black beautyy , thers 20 non black beauty’s’.. well what is he comparing beautty to. he just basing his studies on HIS image of beautty.. not the rest of the worlds.
Jonet

I often heard that Brazilian women were the most beautiful in the world while I realize this is simply the opinion of some men and women. It never offended me one way or the other. beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and sadly all looks fade in all races of people. black women we where weaves to get the silky hair other cultures of women have naturally but other cultures of women tan, get implants lip,hip breast butts. The fact is we all seem to be a little envious of each other. I have even heard of Asians and Japanese people getting eye surgeries to take the squint out of there eyes.Racist statements black people have made up to make them selves feel good about being black like “black don’t crack” science has been trying to figure out why is it people of color age so gracefully. The truth is there are beautiful people in all races and there are not so universally beautiful people in all races.
baby

you got to buy your hair though. back at ya. Not all natural at all. Usually bw have fake hair, fake nails , fake eyelahes and everything else. only women i ve heard of getting butt implants are bw with no azz. ww dont care about there backside being huge, they have other prettier features. ww with thin lips get there lips/breast bigger bc they want to look like ww with full lips/breast not like bw. they dont get oversized lips that are too big for their face. Just bc you have features that are bigger dont mean they are prettier. look at jayz for proof! Just bc some asian dude came out bashing you and making you feel miserable about yourself, you dont have to try to bring ww down with you. it just makes you look pathetic
hail

it always gets to me how black women scream racism when non-black men dont find them attractive but they hack at the key board ALL day long, how they dont find white men attractive at all. And they get mad (but wont admit it, of course except over the internet) when black men find non-black women attractive. They say that man is full of self hate and a whole lot of bs… Not saying his (above) remark is correct or incorrect but its just his opinion and he is entitled to it. not exactly racism, if so many bw are just as racist.
Justinmac2001

Two things. First, as I read it the man did not say black women were less attractive, simply that they were rated as less attractive. This begs the second point, in that no one has mentioned ( here at least) by whom these ratings are made. If you look at the underlying assumptions of the research you will find all you need to refute his arguments. In my opinion this is a case of bad research based on biased secondary sources without adequate controls to ensure objectivity ( if that is possible). I’m sure if you selected your sources carefully you could present a case as to why any ethnic group were either rated the most or the least attractive. While the argument as presented is insensitive, it is the same argument as to why White or any other ethnicity is rated the most attractive. The same biases apply except the emphasis is on the positive rather than the negative attribution of attractiveness.
http://rawsurvival.com Louise Brookes

One reason why sometimes choosing not to be taught by moronic narrowminded people is a good idea
http://twitter.com/Funnybone_Nanoo Nanoo

This gent has not experienced the real thing. Besides who wants to sleep with a Christmas Tree, however attractive scientifically.
Mrman

Obviously this guy has never heard of Beyonce!!!!
Jim

Everyone, including the author, is missing the point. Yes, there are beautiful people and ugly people in every culture, but what he was saying is as an overview of the population, black women are generally less attractive.

He is not saying all black women are not attractive, just as an average, not as attractive as other races.

He has looked into a scientific reason for this, and has come up with a fairly rational explaination. What he says has a certain amount of truth – look at the Venus sisters, undoubtedly good looking women, but no attractive due to the masculine features and figures they have.

You all need to get off your high horse – if you are a black woman that does not have more masculine features than your average white/asian/oriental counterparts, be happy; if you do look more manly/masculine than most, than the chances are this chap has just given you a reason why – your testosterone levels.
Jim

Everyone, including the author, is missing the point. Yes, there are beautiful people and ugly people in every culture, but what he was saying is as an overview of the population, black women are generally less attractive.

He is not saying all black women are not attractive, just as an average, not as attractive as other races.

He has looked into a scientific reason for this, and has come up with a fairly rational explaination. What he says has a certain amount of truth – look at the Venus sisters, undoubtedly good looking women, but no attractive due to the masculine features and figures they have.

You all need to get off your high horse – if you are a black woman that does not have more masculine features than your average white/asian/oriental counterparts, be happy; if you do look more manly/masculine than most, than the chances are this chap has just given you a reason why – your testosterone levels.
Nkrivers87

Who wants to kick the most vulnerable people on the planet while they’re down? Ooo I do I do. Pick me, pick me. If this life is what I hope it is. A spiritual test in this physical world. A lot of black women’s spirits are going to be more beautiful than the rarest and most perfect of diamonds. Black women world wide keep your heads up no matter what ethnic/cultural group you belong to. From India, to Africa, to the Polynesian Islands, to the America’s, and to all the other places you may be, we show a strength and endurance like no other. People constantly try to destroy us whether it is mentally or physically. For me I doubt this is happenstance. Do not under any circumstances fold under the pressure. Don’t let anyone define your innate god given beauty as you were created. They only do this because they are weak themselves and need to stand atop others to feel taller. Just like in high school. Try not to lash out at others because tough you may be hurting, most people don’t realize this and to be honest most don’t even care. Don’t withdraw and become self destructive either. If you can, please try and find someone you can talk to. And if that fails find an outlet, creative or otherwise.Please define your outward and inward beauty for yourselves because when you do this you’ll find that you will attract positive people who will encourage you. I believe this to be the true test; to find beauty and happiness in this life even when faced when so many odds. Believe me I know from experience it is attainable. Don’t get me wrong I’m still working on myself as evidenced by my previous comment -_-. I know plenty of young girls are going to come across this article and other things just like this. Maybe you’re searching for some support online for girls who may be going through the same things but are too ashamed to speak on it in public. Please don’t feel isolated because there are many going through what you’re going through. It was only 7 years ago that I was totally self destructive. I was self harming on a daily basis and suicidal. So what ever you may be doing to cope with the pain don’t feel ashamed you’re only human. But you need to find other ways if you’re doing these things. I was about to give up because I just couldn’t seem to find anyone whom I could identify with that was willing to admit they were feeling the way I did. I researched those biased statistics stating that African American girls had the highest self esteem of all the other races of girls and I felt extremely alone because of it. Now people live more of their lives online so it’ll be easier to find girls who feel like you do. But that can also only go but so far if all you can do together is pity yourselves. Like I said earlier, define your own beauty within and without and then you will find the beauty in life. The first step on my journey was turning off the television and pretty much disassociating myself from a culture that did not represent me or make me feel good about myself in any way (American pop culture). After I built a stronger version of myself I was able to appreciate certain aspects of it again but American pop culture is poison to a black girls/woman’s self esteem. You are loved ladies. Stay positive or get and stay positive. Neverescapedhighschool PS. BisaNation is a girl on you tube who I think some of you could relate to.
W.M

This is so pathetic; it’s ALL subjective – likes, dislike… attractive, unattractive, these views and preferences change (quite often I might add) over time socially, culturally and more importantly within individuals. Besides personality and character changes everything and can add or take away from an individual’s attractiveness.
Tony

Empirical results acquired properly don’t lie for political correctness. And they don’t care whether people are offended

If black women empirically score lower on attractiveness then you can evaluate the experiment for problems and confirm whether the result is reproducible. Being offended changes nothing.

If the experiment is sound then there must be a reason for black women scoring lower. Using speculation and experimentation to determine this reason is appropriate.

This scientific inquiry is interesting and useful. Sex and attractiveness is always on people’s minds and black women want to optimize this as much as anyone.

Why can’t more people be critical thinkers? Our society is so packed with cattle that only communicate in emotional outbursts.
Veronica Lumar

You probably look unattracive yourself! At 52 you sound stupid! Go and read a book!!!!
Veronica

That has nothing to do with being black. There are a lot of unattractive white, asian & hispanic women. You people need to get a life!!!!!
St

You sound completely stupid. Did you go to school? There is no scientific evidence that shows who is prettier! Who you find attractive I may think otherwise. Get a life man!
Bruce clifton

sure it’s racist. and who ever said that black people can’t be racists too. it goes around baby.
http://www.facebook.com/ck.browne Ck Browne

think you missed the point of what was being said. The point that people will find attractive what is most like them.
You also have to look in the media, that tends to put up what they want us to believe beauty is.
Also having an opinion is does not mean that a person does not have a life!
Nyla

People like you make my blood boil
Nyla

Amen thank you, we are strong, considering the amount of bashing we have to put up with and our lot in life.
Nyla

im sorry but how can he say that when there are multitudes of black beauties. We are mothers of the earth, we are the ORIGINAL woman, what a woman is supposed to look like.
Nyla

UTTTTER UTTER UTTER RUBBISH TO THE CORE
Nyla

UTTTTER UTTER UTTER RUBBISH TO THE CORE
blackdontcrack

heifer, you probably wearing fake hair yourself, and stop coloring your hair…you know good and well you were not born with plantinum blonde hair lmao. You got offended bc she list what u wish u had but cant afford to get….go somewhere and get plastic surgery done like ur sisters…oh yeah if we going down u going down to…stop tanning to look black…i know u heard black dont crack bc we stay looking young. I bet ur 30 yrs looking 50 yrs….dont get hate, congratulate….lol
http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/Q7LNZCYMGVIHMZTMNHCYGYXUOM Alex

The public isn’t ready to have these discussions. Deep inside we know there is some truth to this. But its way too personal to ever admit, let alone discuss it. When talking about something on a sociological level, not individual, the average person cannot separate the two.
On internet dating sites, the lowest profile click rates are for black women. Followed by asian men.
http://twitter.com/allcome2dust Lin

Internet dating sites are a good source of world-wide information on dating preference? This is junk science and no accredited scientist would touch it with a ten foot pole. I quit reading it half way through because it is a real waste of time.
Gb

over the internet? hack the board all day long? lol if there is one thing about black people everybody knows (except you), we are not cowards, and u know our standpoint, anytime, anyday! and black women will tell you as it is, we are very vocal (trust black men KNOW that..).
Tired of us ’playing’ a race, dont care! we are tired of being subject to it and put down evryday on the pettiest little things. This the 21st century, after years of movements and revolutions, with everything we see goin around in the world, we still face idiotic things like this. Whether it is the media or the klan, racism is racism, and we shall call it out when we see it!
Gb

over the internet? hack the board all day long? lol if there is one thing about black people everybody knows (except you), we are not cowards, and u know our standpoint, anytime, anyday! and black women will tell you as it is, we are very vocal (trust black men KNOW that..).
Tired of us ’playing’ a race, dont care! we are tired of being subject to it and put down evryday on the pettiest little things. This the 21st century, after years of movements and revolutions, with everything we see goin around in the world, we still face idiotic things like this. Whether it is the media or the klan, racism is racism, and we shall call it out when we see it!
Alex

I must say, I find that quite racist.
A woman isn’t supposed to look like me? A white woman? I’m sure if the tables were turned there would be a massive uproar towards me for saying that about black women..
Alex

I quite agree with you. Nice post.
Christen

I am quite sure that when it comes to racism and racial prejudice, my life as a white woman has been much easier than your life as a black woman. I realize that because of this, my advocacy of taking the high road isn’t so admirable, and I’m not doing it in order to seem more mature or enlightened. I’m pretty sure that we are equals on both points who are in different places now only because we started out in different places in society.

That said, it will not profit you to return racism for racism. Reacting to racism by becoming a racist means that your enemies have succeeded in changing you and making you just like them. I hope you reflect on that and decide that this is not a road you’re willing to travel any longer.

We are all related. We are all family. I consider you my sister, just as I consider any other woman of any other race. The racists you’ve encountered throughout life will have failed when you are able to see me as your sister in return.
Christen

I am quite sure that when it comes to racism and racial prejudice, my life as a white woman has been much easier than your life as a black woman. I realize that because of this, my advocacy of taking the high road isn’t so admirable, and I’m not doing it in order to seem more mature or enlightened. I’m pretty sure that we are equals on both points who are in different places now only because we started out in different places in society.

That said, it will not profit you to return racism for racism. Reacting to racism by becoming a racist means that your enemies have succeeded in changing you and making you just like them. I hope you reflect on that and decide that this is not a road you’re willing to travel any longer.

We are all related. We are all family. I consider you my sister, just as I consider any other woman of any other race. The racists you’ve encountered throughout life will have failed when you are able to see me as your sister in return.
CJ

I’m disturbed by a lot of the comments here.

The “study” is blatantly racist, and people absolutely should be angry and outraged by it. What I don’t understand is the hypocrisy of so many here who are trying to prove the beauty of black women by tearing down white women, Asian men, and so on.

Explain to me how it is, exactly, that this makes you better than the guy who did this study?

People in all races are beautiful for various reasons. Thin lips can be beautiful, and so can thick lips. Small breasts can be beautiful and so can big breasts. Dark skin can be beautiful and so can white skin.

The ugliest person is the one who doesn’t believe in her beauty and so must tear down others and brag about herself.
http://comowater.com Tiffany

Please consider signing this petition to hold Psychology Today
accountable for its content (http://www.change.org/petitions/hold-psychology-today-accountable).
Over and above the content of the recent blog post, which just so happens to be
race-related, this is an act of abuse and irresponsibility. This was not
“a study.” This was not “research.” The findings were not
“objective.” Conjecture is not “proof.” And credible
research does not use language such as “I think” and “I
believe.” I am a psychologist and it takes me YEARS to get research
published. There is integrity in my work and how I disseminate that work.
Kanazawa’s rantings were purely editorial, coupled with rather primitive
statistics and presented as credible. It was a joke. And it should have never,
ever been presented as scientific. Psychology Today should be held accountable.
Gigjkhg

He’s just found evolutionary explanation for what every man knows – black women are not attractive (unless they’re of mixed origin). Butthurted PC morons making a big fuss once again
NOYFB

Butthurted chimp calling somebody “Jap” while shouting “da beez racisss” shocker
Bruce clifton

ouch!!! don’t b so mean little mama. lol
Bruce clifton

sure they r jim. so r white women. that’s the blessing and the wisdom. variety is the spice of life. take it from one who knows.
Bruce clifton

ur an idiot.
Bruce clifton

ck u sound like a nice person. i assume that u were born in america or europe where caucasians are the dominant race. as a matter of fact if i’m not mistaken race is an american construct. that to me would indicate that some level of subjectivity is at play. don’t u think?
http://profiles.google.com/sadgegoddess Donalda Goncalves

THE “STUDY” PROVES RACIST ATTITUDES AGAINST BLACKS
Racism people. That’s what Kabuckledzawa proved with his “study” and that’s all he has proved. Of course black women are perceived to be less attractive than other races of women. Did we even need a study to know this? It’s patently obvious. This is America, a country founded on white supremacy and keeping its foot on the neck of blacks and other racial so-called minorities for 400 years, people. Co’mon! I was only offended by this study because it is RACIST. Not because my feelings are hurt that, surprise, is a racist country that holds white is superior in every way, thinks I’m ugly. I already knew that, and I have never bought into that. I know who I am and I know what this country is.

I KNOW I’M NOT UGLY
They say I’m ugly, but it doesn’t stop the white, black, asian, or hispanic men from hitting on me non-withstanding my beautiful unlined chocolate colored skin, short natural hair, round a** curvaceous hips and high riding tittays. I’m even married to a white guy. I know I’m beautiful and I know a concerted, racist effort among many to try and disinvest me of this knowledge. This is a backlash.

THE “STUDY” IS PART OF A BACKLASH AGAINST BLACK WOMEN
It’s well known that whenever a group begins to make strides the powers that be will institute a mighty backlash to put that group back in its place. Who has been making strides? BLACK WOMEN. We are going to school in high numbers, in the public eye as media moguls, government officials, first ladies, we are in the workplace and we are marrying white men. So get a grip, folks. See this “study” and other bullsh* denegrating the beauty and humanity of the black woman for what they are. The latest weapons in a war against us. A war being waged because of fear and envy. Don’t buy into this shi*

BLACK WOMEN ARE MORE FEMININE – SCIENTIFIC FACT
And another thing, black women actually have more ESTROGEN than other women. Therefore we, on average, are MORE feminine hence the dangerous curves. Lastly, sisters, please, please, please STOP trying to live up to eurocentric beauty standards by straightening your hair, wearing weave and colored contact lenses. Every woman that does this is buying into ideas of white supremacy and denigrating our unique African beauty. If we don’t show pride in who we really are and respect ourselves we can’t expect anyone else to respect us.
Bruce clifton

u r truly an IDIOT. even those who’ve said that they prefer other races of women to black women acknowledge that it is subjective. ask gregory smith. and by the way, if u think that venus williams has a manly figure then u must be built like woman. ur stupid and blind. lol
Johnnysmith

yes, life is so much easier with light skin. its a ticket to easy street.

hey, instead of trying to get people to change their minds, why not just straighten your hair so it looks white…and use skin lightening creams and …/oh wait
Jesuschoosenangels

It not good to listen to other people opinion or study on looks it not about looks it how you where fearfully and wonderfully made by our creator of the universe Our heavenly Daddy speak very highly of us that article was stated to cause friction,and that what happen, and that is sad. The BIBLE speak on my people are destroy cause of lack of knowledge. we have our Lord attribute we are made in his images and likeness he want you to know who you are, whom you are, your purpose, and your destiny .If God be for us. who can be against us? The Lord think highly of you and me. The Lord doesn’t make know mistake,WHEN HE CREATED US… you more than conquerer he always cause you triumph you win every time let me say this walk in your beauty it sad how you can have such low self extreme of other and yourself that not how the Lord God see us or you almost rendering evil for your so call good, it time to bury self hate and images of others it time for unity we are all bother’s and sister’s in Christ Jesus so get a reality check there will be 1 blood 1 nation so all men can dwell together all this shall come to pass don’t let that article define who you are that not who you are. you are child of the most high God. We are King’s Kid’s when he made your beautiful black fame also white fame he say it was very good I have to speak on biblical stand point Our identity has been stolen now is time to take it back! It sad that you can point out color I got some news for you as it is written in Galatians 4:28 There neither Jews nor Greek there is neither bond nor free there is neither male or female; for ye are all one (1) IN CHRIST…IT NOT ABOUT THE OUTER MAN( the nature man) IT ALL ABOUT THE INNER MAN THE SPIRITUAL MAN This come from accepting Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour you got a problem with people looks take up with the creator .THE HOLY SPIRIT… I hoping this is helping someone, when it all said and done THE BIBLE IS THE FINAL AND ONLY AUTHORITY in my life and it should be your, negative people and negative things it will drain POISION your spiritual man JESUS OUR LORD IS POSITIVE . Let me leave you with this in KING JAMES VERSION BIBLE 1John 4:4 You are God little children and have overcame them cause GREATER is HE that is in you than he that in the world…Everyone has greatness in them it not about looks, It all about JESUS the one who die for everyone of us.LET US COME TOGETHER IN UNITY AND HARMONY. How can 2 walk together unless they agree? This is your pedigree of what the Lord God opinion is of you and not man. Read Psalms 139:1-18 this is what our creator think of us and not some man resource or opinion. Be BLESS EVERYONE OF YOU…LOVE YOU WITH THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST…
Hunny1au

Um in reply to Nyla. What do you mean black women were the original woman? Was Eve black? Im curious….
Hunny1au

This is just silly. You CAN’T generalise about everyone in a particular race. We are all different and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There are beautiful women in every race on this earth, and there are plainer people as well. So what? Someone will always find us beautiful. And not every ww gets surgery. Plenty of black actresses get surgery too. I’d say it’s pretty equal across the board, if people do their checking. Especially Halle Berry who had a much larger nose years ago, and we won’t even start with Mick Jackson….Just saying it’s not just white women who get surgery.
Hunny1au

I agree Foluke.
Hunny1au

Sadly PZ, I watched a Documentary recently on this very concept. And they did quite extensive research on this topic. It was called The White Beauty or some such thing. Turns out from their research globally that a lot of people are striving for that ideal. Facially at least….I’m not saying I agree with it, I’m just saying I have heard that concept before. I think there are beautiful people in ALL races.
Hunny1au

What on earth are you talking about Nanoo???? Christmas Tree? Am I to assume that’s an insult to white women???
Hunny1au

CJ WELL said!! Bravo!!
Hunny1au

Donalda what a load of “racist” hogwash you are sprouting. Yes this is a ridiculous racist study, but how are you any better by what you just dribbled out of your mouth! If you’re a beautiful woman, that’s fantastic, but so are many other women regardless of race. Stop hating your white, asian, native american counterparts and start loving your sisters, regardless of race! It’s women like you who perpetuate the hatred and segregation in our society. More feminine? Ok well you are starting to sound like the guy who wrote this rubbish!! You have just managed to systematically insult EVERYONE in the white race and call white women unfeminine. War waged against you?? Cmon…there are many people of other races who admire the black race and think they are beautiful physically. You just don’t seem to acknowledge that. Why should the white people who aren’t racist, take the blame for the ones who are? It gets quite old, quite quickly let me assure you. And trust me if black women are getting ahead, I’m all for it. As far as I’m concerned it’s not about “black” women getting ahead, it’s about women in general getting ahead. It’s happening in all races all over the world, not just black women. We as women, should stand up and support each other as sisters, regardless or race, and then there may be less domestic violence, more educated women who are empowered to leave bad relationships, and forge ahead in healthy productive lives. I’m not about White Power or Black Power it’s all about Woman Power, so let’s stop fighting amongst ourselves about petty rubbish like this and concentrate on contributing something positive towards making a better world for all women everywhere…
Me

ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING. people of all races are beautiful! this is pure ignorance -_-
http://elisaloves.blogspot.com/ E.L.

@91f709b85ce5fd02234b910339b0980e:disqus Anthropology has found that all people have originated out of Africa. The oldest human DNA on record is of a woman who is called ‘Eve’ and is from Africa. It is thought that we all as humans have migrated from that original point. I am not an anthropologist but this is what I have read in legitimate news sources. Hope that answers your question :)
Neverdepressed

You, as a black male (yea right) probably look like shit w/a fat white wife and kids that look better than the both of ya combined. Go figure
Mrs

They all talk about us…they cannot figure us out…like, how do we manage to laugh, smile, and love better than most w/the odds stacked against us. This is off-topic, but it took 3 white women to hack up and cut off my hair before I determined to never let their jealous asses near me again. My husband, a black man, is the only one who will EVER trim my thick, gorgeous, unruly locks again. And it is also him who points out how unattractive most white woman/black man couples are. But, they sure do succeed in making pretty babies that look WAAAAAAAAAY better than either one. And those kids are labeled as what??? Black.
Mrs

But white women are unattractive for the most part…or at least in my observation. I’m sorry, it is true. Brazillian women, Columbian women, mixed heritage women are the most beautiful. White women are FAR down the list when it comes to natural beauty and their bodies SCREAM infertility. Not sexually attractive in the least.
Mrs

Agree, I mean it’s not us that fill up the infertility clinics, so he has that hypoth WRONG! We are so extremely feminine, we might get pregnant if you look at us too hard…but it takes a TOUGH COOKIE to look us dead in the eye and not flinch–My husband has been staring unblinkingly for years…and with two kids…he’s looking hard enough to get a third. We are awesome. White women are simply NO comparison. Why don’t white folks work harder on NOT being pedophiles, kidnappers, and infertility clinic frequenters…while japs, chinese, whatever, hand over that credit card number for the latest peenie pump. Black people ARE the original…white folks, well, they only seem to be good with words…they will verbalize u to death lol. Only females of the Kardashian persuasion threaten to give us a run for our money…we’ll take that:)
Mrs

Oh my goodness, I live in Arizona, so I can tell you hands down there are a boat load of fugging ugly white fockers out here. Filthy Mexican women too with muffin tops and a nursery of kids…w/filthy homes!!! It makes me appreciate so much more the grace of black women living around so much non-black trash. I will say though, that there are attractive white/mexican women somewhere, just not here…or where I grew up.
Mrs

You neverescapedhighschool because you are one dumb focker.
Mrs

White people are the beginning and end of all things bad and carnal in nature. Let them have this earth…you won’t see them in the afterlife after all. That is why they know so much of things of a satanic nature. It is where they hail from. Thank goodness their ability to reproduce has so drastically declined…they are the rapers of the earth and the masses, and when other races fall victim to their ideologies, they show a weakness that is pitied by strong minorities. Yellows and Browns, stand up. You were born that persuasion for a reason. Continue to fight the good fight before they have us turned against one another and enslaved again.
Andjella

I just feel so sorry for this guy. He is
probably one sad, lonely, and frustrated man. Why are we even discussing his
article? It is really irrelevant, unscientific, and plain bigotry. I am (very)
white woman and I have always admired African beauty and envied their looks. I
have straight light hair and want it black and wavy, while my good friend straightens
and lightens her hair and envies mine. Not to talk about my desperate tanning
attempts! When I am around women with beautiful dark skin, I feel so unsexy and
threatened by them. Funny, isn’t it? And I am old enough to know how silly this
is and how all of us are beautiful in our own ways. Even though I have desire
to look different and prefer African features, I do not think that my
subjective preference has anything to do with science and I do not intend to
write a scientific article to prove I am right! Women always want what they do not have. We
will always do stupid things to achieve what we think is beautiful. The fact
is, guys really do not care about all these things we worry about – perfect looking
nails, great hair (whatever you think that means!), make-up, etc. Of course,
everyone has their preferences, but simply speaking guys are attracted to sexy
and confident women. Therefore, do not let anyone tell you what is beautiful
and what is not. We have enough of our own internal silly obsessions to have
some low-life “scientist” mess up with us.
Jessica Lynne

Wow, I just found the only person on this thread that I can actually respect
me

The original woman was Eve.
me

When are people going to tire of being offended at every comment someone makes or writes an article about? And then certain elements of society “rise up” and want to punish people for their opinions. I realize there is a current movement trying to change this and remove from us our freedoms, but this is, for a time, America. We are entitled to our OWN opinion. When that crosses with someone else’s, then that someone else can choose to ignore it, or research it and see if there is any truth in it. Stop the bully tactics!
Talktokelly_2000

Comging from Hispanic Irish young woman in Mississippi. I think the issue is mainly cultural differences. Ghetto black/Hispanic/white people are not the norm. And I hope that more black people than what I love around find most rap music to be Gross. The demeaning superficial kind, not R&B. People, WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS! People say some black people ‘act white’ when in reality it just means thy are educated and not the product of MTV music videos.that said, community interaction is different in the races usually. How alot of people of African origin is different than say an Asian community. Which is why people tend to hang around their own color, which is neither good nor bad. I advocate interracial couples, though if everyone were all one culture the world would be less interesting. And I have mainly only been grabbed at by black guys. Buuutt, this could be because I live around Jackson Mississippi an area of extreme ghetto and crime and I have travelled enough to know that the rest of the world isn’t like this. The surgeries that white people get and the hair that black pellets buy are merely examples of hoe other cultures admire each other and that is BEAUTIFUL! I’ve come to the realizations because I am inly 40% white and I dont fit in with the typical Hispanic community.
Let us fight to all be intelligent Americans, refuse to become dumbed by our corrupt leaders.
Narutouzumaki

sir did you take your meds today ,because you talk as if your on crack.
Kirachoo90514

just admit the it , white people are the most attractive races in the world , even Asian people went through surgery to look like white people(Asian that I meant are Chinese,Japanese,Korean, Thai etc) , high nose , big eye , fair skin complexion … Skin color plays important tough here, everything become better if you have fairer skin ,where you are able to put on cosmetic product to look more gorgeous. A black paper cannot get any further because its already black,where a white paper can put on many colors.It is not racist , it is what in our mind in this era , why most of the girls like muscular, fit men ? but not fat ass guy ? or why most of the men like hot babes which have bigger bust size , curvier women. Leaning towards fair complexion is same as leaning toward musclar men/curvier women. It is what culture did to us ,celebrities on tv affect us what is beauty definition. But some black people do look pretty, like Alicia key , Beyonce , they have fairer skin complexion, thinner lips,higher nose with smaller nostrils than other black people. English isnt my mother tongue so bear with my poor English ! 작별 인사 !
Anonymous

To her she is because she has bought the media lies, and why? STUPIDITY, that’s in her DNA.
Anonymous

Another IDIOT believing the feel good lies. So you think that GOD, JESUS. Abraham, and Issac are African, IDIOT for sure. Africa and the garden of Edan, last time I looked (AFRICA) it seemed to be the boil on the buttox of the world. ROTFLMAO no wonder we have affirmative action for natural born IDIOTS.
Anonymous

Offended, offended, offended, GROW-UP and quit feeling sorry for your little bitty offended heart.
Anonymous

SHO you is STRONG, Most yo mammies I sees be’s built likes a gorilla, now dat be strong. ROTF
Sasha

How do you know he is “a white people *worshiper and he really really really wants to be accepted by them”?
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http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001051441114 Abubakarium Bizimana

there is no black ppl at all… there are mauve ppl, dark blue ppl, dark chocolate ppl.. but black? Naaaaah!! And this comes from a “black” scientist.
Brownie

You do realize that, Blackmen rated more appealing then white
an if the so called std stat is high in Blackwomen..who do they get
it from? I can say most Blackwomen do not find white/asian men
attractive..I wonder if because they have more female hormones in them.
Djteel

i learned more from the posters than i did from the article.for one i learned that blacks are still yelling that they’re being kept back by the white man..that’s BS..that old claim that the man be down on us as a race is antiquity.this is why so many whites today have a problem with whites still.for example.i don’t believe in treating anyone with partiality.but i read almost every day how they’re demanding to be treated with speciality or partiality.one of their most current drama incidents is a hollywood thing.black actors claiming that they’re not being fairly utilized in the business(ie,too much white prime time and not enough black).that’s BS.. you don’t see asians and vietnamese and latino and other groups demanding to be treated with partiality and “special favors”(except for the illegals).it’s always been the blacks.this is what keeps racism alive.and what gets me is,if you tell the facts,then you’re racist.it’s okay to know the facts but don’t vocalise them!!example:it’s a fact that most resident locations where it’s dominantly minority,are much higher in violent crime and property crime than mostly white areas.but it’s a taboo to mention such a fact in public for any reason ..god forbid it come up in conversation or even as a passing statement,as it’s considered racist./while some people want to argue that those studies aren’t correct,i happen to know they are and they weren’t performed to downplay anyone.even preference is considered racist according to a lot of blacks.if i date within my own race only, some people think that’s racism..nope..preference..when acting on a preference,a person is being discrminating,but there’s more than one definition for that word and being discriminating by having a preference is not racist. i had a friend that only dated waitresses and nothing else,but he didn’t hate people that weren’t waitresses.minor example but you get my point.my attitude is that nobody should be treated with partiality based on their race…period. i totally disagree with affirmative action and hope it ceases to exist.my attitude toward this article is that it’s confusing.if he could back up the all of the claims ..but he can’t.it’s like he expects people to take his word for all of it..wikipedia offers more info about sources regarding one person’s bio than this guy does in one article that supposedly effects an entire race.
Djteel

i meant to say above that this is why whites have a problem with blacks still..NOT why whites have a problem with whites.sorry//my bad
Michelle Karman

Ugly Asian. Typical of them, they LOVE whites!
Karma

“HER BEAUTY CAN’T BE MEASURED BY A COLONIZED MIND”
Meshell Ndegeocello
Chalz

The research is most likely derived from subjectivity, but so is all research. You gain your own personal observations from the world around you, and you can try to find some facts through research. These guys found that black women tend to have more testosterone. Testosterone is associated with manliness, so they’re trying to draw a connection.

As for racism….Let’s say I don’t want to date black women because I think they’re ugly. Is that racist? A girl colors her black skin white because she doesn’t like her tone. Is that racist? A girl puts on make-up because it SUBJECTIVELY augments her beauty. Is that wrong?
O.J. for fear of reprisal

I am a black male from Nigeria,Africa. I have to say that I agree with Mr Satoshi Kanazawas findings 99%. The only other race of females i find less attractive than black females are indian females. This, however, doesnt not suggest that my wild oats will not be offered to any of these races given a GOOD opportunity. My point is that i would have more to choose from in other races than black or indian. Black girls, i still love you though….after all i was given birth to by one and have one as an annoying sister.
Evolutionary Biologist

This is another beautiful example of someone without a science background, reacting and trying to make sense of something in which they have no background training, but hey, at least the headline gets the author hits. Why don’t you try scrutinizing his methods to evaluate the study aside from being so reactionary to the “offensive” study. Pick up a book on Genomics, physiology, and scientific studies before you go around giving your expert opinions to your followers.

Psychology Today Posts Study On Why Black Women Aren’t Pretty

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