Evolution of Breasts
Evolutionary Psychology
The Evolution of Female Breasts and Breasts as Sexual Signals
Female breasts always seem to be a ‘hot’ topic, even from an evolutionary standpoint! Human females have larger breasts than all their nonhuman primates. Many studies have been conducted on the function and purpose of the large female breasts. Human females have breasts that have evolved to always be prominent after puberty, a physical characteristic that has been found to be attractive to our male ancestors and even males in today’s society. As signals of fertility and good health, breasts cause arousal in males hence, increasing a woman’s chances of attracting a mate! Different variations of breast size and shape are preferred all around the world, but it is no mystery that breasts are valued as an attractive sexual signal to people worldwide.
1. Breast size on primates and Homo sapiens.
Throughout evolutionary time breasts have been a clear indicator used to spot a female who is equipped with the physiology necessary for the nurturing of offspring. Breasts have evolved for the obvious reason, to provide breast milk for offspring. However, compared to primates such as chimpanzees, baboons, monkey’s etc., human females have larger breasts. Human female’s breasts begin their growth once puberty begins, however nonhuman primates have a different growth pattern. For nonhuman primates, breasts only enlarge during lactation and pregnancy; however a human female’s breasts enlarge during puberty from the distribution of adipose fat tissue to the breasts (Dixson et al, 2011). Instead of the breasts only swelling during lactation, human females breasts remain enlarged whether they are ovulating or not. It is interesting that human females have evolved to always have the display of swollen breasts however, other primates have not. Many studies have been conducted on nonhuman primates on the hypothesis that their genitals and breasts only swell during lactation periods to
The Evolution of Female Breasts and Breasts as Sexual Signals
Female breasts always seem to be a ‘hot’ topic, even from an evolutionary standpoint! Human females have larger breasts than all their nonhuman primates. Many studies have been conducted on the function and purpose of the large female breasts. Human females have breasts that have evolved to always be prominent after puberty, a physical characteristic that has been found to be attractive to our male ancestors and even males in today’s society. As signals of fertility and good health, breasts cause arousal in males hence, increasing a woman’s chances of attracting a mate! Different variations of breast size and shape are preferred all around the world, but it is no mystery that breasts are valued as an attractive sexual signal to people worldwide.
1. Breast size on primates and Homo sapiens.
Throughout evolutionary time breasts have been a clear indicator used to spot a female who is equipped with the physiology necessary for the nurturing of offspring. Breasts have evolved for the obvious reason, to provide breast milk for offspring. However, compared to primates such as chimpanzees, baboons, monkey’s etc., human females have larger breasts. Human female’s breasts begin their growth once puberty begins, however nonhuman primates have a different growth pattern. For nonhuman primates, breasts only enlarge during lactation and pregnancy; however a human female’s breasts enlarge during puberty from the distribution of adipose fat tissue to the breasts (Dixson et al, 2011). Instead of the breasts only swelling during lactation, human females breasts remain enlarged whether they are ovulating or not. It is interesting that human females have evolved to always have the display of swollen breasts however, other primates have not. Many studies have been conducted on nonhuman primates on the hypothesis that their genitals and breasts only swell during lactation periods to
References: Bielert, C., & Girolami, L. (1987). Female Perineai Swelling and Its Effects on Male Sexual Arousal: An Apparent Sexual Releaser in the Chacma Baboon (Papio ursinus) Men’s Preferences for Women’s Breast Morphology in New Zealand, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 40, 1271–1279.