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Researchers Discover Irresistible Dance Moves

sciencehabit writes "To find out if certain dance moves are more attractive to women than others, researchers recruited a bunch of college guys and used motion-capture to create avatars of them dancing. When women watched the avatars (2 videos included in story), the men they found most attractive were those who kept their heads and torsos moving without flailing their arms and legs. The researchers say dancing is thus an honest signal to women of the man's strength and health, just as it is in crabs and hummingbirds, who also move in special ways to attract mates."

38 of 215 comments (clear)

  1. That pic by snookerhog · · Score: 2, Informative

    made my day

  2. Re:Science! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    In the face of real science, so-called common sense is often wrong.

  3. So, remember nerds.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...make sure your avatar dances like the example on the bottom. Otherwise, you're never going to pretend to get laid.

  4. Second purpose of my dance by ciaran_o_riordan · · Score: 5, Funny

    > without flailing their arms and legs

    That's all well and good for impressing the ladies, but how then am I supposed to scare of my competition?

    1. Re:Second purpose of my dance by TeethWhitener · · Score: 4, Insightful

      If you watch the two videos, the good dancer is moving his arms and legs much more than the bad dancer is. He even starts with the running man! I'm not exactly sure what the quantitative definition of "flailing" is, but the bad dancer definitely isn't flailing if the good dancer isn't.

      It'd really be nice to see the rest of the videos. While I think it's a really big leap to go from good dancer to attractive mate, it could be something as simple as the fact that the bad dancer keeps his head down and looks much more defensive and withdrawn than the good dancer. My suspicion is that judging someone to be a good dancer or not has much more to do with the standard body language we already intuitively understand than with any sort of display of strength or fitness. Think about it: you could be the best dancer on earth, but if you're dancing around with your arms crossed in a defensive position, people probably aren't going to be too impressed. On the other hand, if you're dancing with your arms not obstructing your body and you keep your head level but don't really do much else, maybe no one will say you're a great dancer, but I doubt anyone will say you're a bad dancer. I dunno; I just think this study is another case of psychologists trying to prove too much with a limited amount of evidence.

    2. Re:Second purpose of my dance by Troy · · Score: 4, Interesting

      It's important to remember that flailing != movement. The 2nd guy is moving his arms a lot more, but everything that he does is connected to movement in his torso (either playing out a movement that started in his torso or moving in opposition to it). As a result, his movements look more fluid and "connected" to what he's doing with the rest on his body.

      The first guy is a poor example of flailing, because he's hardly moving anything at all. Nevertheless, if the arms aren't working in concert with the torso, then whatever the arms do looks disconnected (and creates a look of flailing).

      I think this is part of the "hard to quantify" difference between an expert dancer and a beginner. Beginners are usually replicating what the see, without any understanding of what muscle groups need to be involved in the movement. This makes what they do appear very flat and mechanical. Expert dancers have the experience to know which muscles to engage when, making their movements look dynamic and fluid.

  5. Re:Science! by gurps_npc · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Common sense is neither common nor sensical. Common sense says that heavier objects fall faster. Common sense says that a son of an islamic black diplomat must be islamic and can't be american. Common sense says that man can't be descended from apes. Science is as much about proving common sense to be wrong as it is about discovering the rare occurences it is correct.

    --
    excitingthingstodo.blogspot.com
  6. What is love? by Millennium · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If this article is any indication, it sounds like Will Farrell and Chris Kattan should be the most irresistible men on the planet.

    Baby, don't hurt me
    Don't hurt me no more

  7. Re:this is /. by sznupi · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Kept their heads and torsos moving without flailing their arms and legs" seems useful in adapting our ways to attracting mates, though. Seems like the moves might be quite doable while sitting on a couch.

    --
    One that hath name thou can not otter
  8. To by cptnapalm · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Neave says pilot studies by his group found that asking women who's a good dancer is the same as asking who's attractive.

    Does this not undermine their argument? When actual men are involved, it boils down to who is better looking. So how he moves is of little importance as long as the women find him attractive.

    1. Re:To by Scrameustache · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Neave says pilot studies by his group found that asking women who's a good dancer is the same as asking who's attractive.

      Does this not undermine their argument? When actual men are involved, it boils down to who is better looking. So how he moves is of little importance as long as the women find him attractive.

      You... you don't actually think that male attractiveness is directly related to physical appearance, do you? That would be very sad, that you'd genuinely know so very little about women. I mean, it's one of the variables involved, but it's far from being the leading factor (the big three are Money, Assertiveness and Muscles, in that order). I've had girls tell me the lead singers of Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones are very attractive, and you know those guys look like road kill, but they are rich and famous, and so they are very attractive.

      Also, women seem to believe that how a man dances is a proxy for his sexual prowess. Which I know for a fact to be a false belief because the dance classes I took had a very big impact on how I dance but no impact on how I screw (it had an effect on 'how often', but not on 'how').

      --

      You can't take the sky from me...

    2. Re:To by Scrameustache · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I think Spock's head would explode if he tried to analyze female 'logic'

      I hypothesize that women are instinctually driven to cryptic behavior in order to promote high social intelligence in their mates: They're confusing for the good of the species.

      As for the two types of dances shown in TFA, one was a submissive pose (shoulders hunched, head down, slow and predictable centripetal movement), the other was dominant behavior (open stance, chin up, unpredictable high-amplitude movements, isotropic gaze).

      --

      You can't take the sky from me...

    3. Re:To by cptnapalm · · Score: 4, Insightful

      So ugly, pussy rich guy vs. good looking, assertive poorer guy? Rich dude's wife will be blowing the poor guy in the bathroom.

  9. Our generation and dance by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    My mother asked me why our generation never came up with any dances. Her generation had the Twist, the Mashed Potato, etc.

    I replied that Micheal Jackson killed dance. Nobody else could move like him, so we all gave up and just mosh and twitch randomly.

    1. Re:Our generation and dance by Maxo-Texas · · Score: 3, Informative

      Real dance isn't choreographed. A good swing dancer is making up the dance to fit the mood and the music as they go along.
      The female is constantly being surprised, touched, brushed and it's all part of the dance.

      I am not a good swing dancer- at best I got to be average but women like good dancers so I took lessons.

      Fortunately, I'm tall, make good money, have muscles, and good dental hygiene.

      The last is a lot more important that most guys realize to keeping her once you catch her.

      I suspect regular dancers are in better physical condition for sex once they get it.

      --
      She was like chocolate when she drank... semi-sweet at first and then increasingly bitter.
    2. Re:Our generation and dance by Scrameustache · · Score: 3, Insightful

      wing dancing is very fun in the sense that you kind of make it up as you go along. However, there are a core set of moves and basics that every dancer must know for the "making stuff up" thing to work (the swing out comes to mind for example).

      Dancing is like programming, there's a few basic moves and techniques you have to learn, and then you make of them what you can.
      Dancing is NOT like programming in that the more you dance, the healthier you get. ;-)

      --

      You can't take the sky from me...

    3. Re:Our generation and dance by mdmkolbe · · Score: 2, Informative

      Actually, swing dancing is somewhat unique in that it's typically not choreographed (at least the social aspect of swing dancing). However, I have seen Lindy Hoppers who had choreographed dances that were absolutely amazing. And, much of other types of dancing (ballet, ballroom, modern, jazz) is choreographed.

      Swing is not unique at being not choreographed. Competitive ballroom is usually choreographed, but social ballroom is improvisational.

      Pretty much any couples dancing in a non-competitive, social setting (e.g. club, milonga, wedding, etc.) is of necessity not choreographed because choreography requires prior planning between the couple. Exceptions would be the bride and groom at a wedding, dances with a caller (e.g. square dance) or certain dances/songs with a well-known, set choreography (e.g. minuets?).

  10. Re:that picture! by kg8484 · · Score: 3, Informative

    That is moshgirl. Old meme is old.

  11. An another assumption of universality... by JoshuaZ · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This sort of study might be interesting but it seems clear that the article and one of the quoted anthropologists are assuming that this is a human universal or close to that. But this study was done in a single country with a small group of people. Without a lot more detail it isn't possible to tell if this is an ingrained preference or is culturally driven. Overarching conclusions from interesting but not broad studies like this give ev psych and anthropology a bad name.

    1. Re:An another assumption of universality... by PatrickThomson · · Score: 3, Informative

      Claiming that research done with realistic budget limitations shames us all is asinine bullshit. You have this result, or you have nothing. This is intriguing, perhaps it merits further study, perhaps behavioural psychologists in other nations will study the locals there. Perhaps not. The only overarching conclusions were written by the five word headline, or by your own built-in summariser.

      --
      I am one of many. My idea is not unique, nor do I expect my voice alone to sway you. I speak in a chorus of opinion.
  12. Wrong question by Carewolf · · Score: 4, Interesting

    What they have established is who is considered a better dancer. I doubt anyone finds a blue figure "attractive" so they a judging who is the better dancer.

    In real life the guy who moves the least is considered more attractive but a poor dancer. The reason is that the less you can get away with moving while dancing the more it will look like the girl is dancing "for you" and not "with you", demonstrating you have values worth fighting for even if you are a terrible dancer.

  13. What about non-solo dancing? by Scrameustache · · Score: 2, Funny

    What, no analysis of social dancing? Ya know, dancing with girls? With a lead and a follow?

    I guess that kind of research will have to wait for a scientist willing to ask a girl to dance... might take a while.

    --

    You can't take the sky from me...

  14. Re:Science! by captainpanic · · Score: 2, Funny

    What are you talking about? Everyone's known for years that guys who dance like they're a frog in a blender don't make the cut.

    This is NOT news. Except maybe to nerds, [...]

    ... which is why /. links to the whole article, for your convenience.

  15. How to score chicks by The+Clockwork+Troll · · Score: 2, Funny

    How to score chicks

    1) Cut off own arms and legs; leave head connected.
    2) Flail
    3) Commence to tapping ass

    --

    There are no karma whores, only moderation johns
  16. Re:Science! by operagost · · Score: 3, Informative

    Common sense says that a son of an islamic black diplomat must be islamic and can't be american.

    Huh? Common sense isn't supposed to be illogical.

    Common sense says that heavier objects fall faster.

    It depends on whether your commoner uses Newtonian or quantum physics.

    --

    Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
  17. Hardware or software? by gmuslera · · Score: 2, Insightful

    How much of that is in our genes vs how much is in fact cultural? The dance of 500, 1000 or 10000 years ago was probably considered irresistible at their own time and boring now.

    Probably is just culture what makes things (dance moves, clothing, hair styles or whatever) irresistible or not. Maybe is not just physical fitness what is being seen there, but also ability to perform or create a meme. "Functional" attractiveness of the opposite sex has changed with culture too

  18. Porn by Joebert · · Score: 2, Funny

    Imagine for a second that you're a woman getting drilled away by a perfect mate, how much of that guy are you going to see? Pretty much just his torso, head, and arms, right? That would explain why the legs are unimportant in teh decision making process.

    --
    Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
    1. Re:Porn by Geeky · · Score: 3, Funny

      Imagine for a second that you're a woman getting drilled away by a perfect mate, how much of that guy are you going to see? Pretty much just his torso, head, and arms, right? That would explain why the legs are unimportant in teh decision making process.

      Depends what position you're doing it in. Sometimes you'd see nothing. Except maybe the pillow.

      --
      Sigs are so 1990s. No way would I be seen dead with one.
    2. Re:Porn by Locke2005 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Don't know about you, but when my wife is getting drilled, she usually sees just my belly button...

      --
      I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  19. WTF? by DragonTHC · · Score: 2, Funny

    who are you to tell techno-viking he can't dance?

    --
    They're using their grammar skills there.
  20. Re:Science! by TheWanderingHermit · · Score: 2, Funny

    No, she's still a chick.

    Her daughters say she was always a woman.

  21. Re:Science! by drsmack1 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It is hard to believe that your post was modded as "insightful". It is funny how you seem to equate two beliefs commonly attributed to the Christian right with what the society at large considers "common sense". Obviously you do this to bolster your point.

    I think you can do better.

    If your point is that science regularly proves the beliefs of religious people to be incorrect - I agree. However, saying that without context or qualification is no different in terms of results than an outright lie.

    Science also regularly proves that many of the beliefs of liberals, non-liberals, conservatives, faux conservatives, and flightless birds are incorrect.

    Intellectual honesty much?

  22. Re:that picture! by BergZ · · Score: 2, Informative

    Yeah, but at one time that meme totally ate my balls.

    --
    Warning: This sig is not thread safe. For more information see Slashdot's sig policy.
  23. Re:Science! by somersault · · Score: 2, Informative

    What happens as you increase the mass of the feather until it weighs more than the moon? Does G magically change to be the gravitational pull of the feather once its mass becomes larger, or is it possible that the equations you learned in high school are only useful approximations of what is going on?

    I have no doubt that slashdotters can be stupid, so I'll not hold it against you that you don't think beyond what your high school teachers tell you..

    --
    which is totally what she said
  24. We Did by w8dm4n · · Score: 2, Insightful
    "Our" generation did innovate our own dance. It's called West Coast Swing, and it's danced to top 40 music, hip-hop, blues, soul, and generally anything with 4/4 timing. There are dance parties and events across the US. Innovation, creativity, and technique are all important. The dance is currently evolving.

    These two are 27 years old, and are the current innovators. Not Choreographed.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGP8CEklpGg

    Again, not choreographed.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkcHzqr8a34

    Yes, these are professional West Coast dancers that compete in a circuit 30 weeks a year or so.

    -Rick

  25. Re:Science! by somersault · · Score: 2, Informative

    A=F/M2

    And what happened to

    A=F/M1

    ?

    --
    which is totally what she said
  26. Of course, there's another interpretation... by blair1q · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It could just mean that the guys who used more legs and arms were just exposing their #fail more than the ones who didn't.

    If you did this same test with professional dancers, how would it come out?

  27. tensor loops by epine · · Score: 2, Insightful

    What women want degenerates into a common knowledge problem. Just read this thread, it illustrates what any sensible woman already knows: the incredible male fascination with easy ways to get laid without doing any real emotional work.

    Even if the ruse works, you'll likely end up with the kind of chick who is easily duped by a shallow ruse. The pussy might be good in the short term, but soon you'll have to gnaw your arm off.

    To really understand what women want involves tensor calculus: it's a varying function of what the women currently has. The tensor system has fairly strong immunity to fixed points. It tends to loop through sex, babies, parenthood, graduation, sex, babies, parenthood, etc.

    As soon as you achieve one of these, your emotions migrate to the next stage. There's no gloriously horny fixed point.

    Sometimes you find a woman who is so disillusioned with life, she gets off the bus. She's often found in the company of a man who is sexually exhausted (beyond caring), and disillusioned with disillusioned. Who knew that caring about life makes a woman more attractive?

    The other term that confuses matters is that a women evaluates what she knows about you differently than what you've stated about yourself explicitly, even if these are the same thing. This tends to happen when a woman consciously knows better, but subconsciously continues to hope.

    That's where real emotional work enters the picture. To have any real success with women, you have to be able to navigate the simultaneous equations. Sometimes you wander into a cul de sac, where there's no solution at all. Then you have to jump bravely from one ledge to another. This involves the use of that other male bone, the backbone. Anakin Skywalker is not your role model.

    If the relationship has any emotional equity, the backbone move is termed "conflict resolution". Many relationships suck at this. A quick test for sucking at conflict resolution is when your typical relationship goes directly from great sex to Armageddon.

    These days, for people who live in urban areas, there are a lot of fish in the sea. Nevertheless, the Armageddon cycles eventually build up, until you find yourself sitting around in your underwear watching Seinfeld reruns.

    And you still don't know what women want.