Attraction Preferences of Men who have Sex with Men

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Abstract

The attraction preferences of men who have sex with men (MSM) are largely unknown. While previous research has examined certain aspects tied to masculinity and race, no comprehensive study has been conducted. The current research addressed this gap by conducting two comprehensive surveys of the attraction preferences for MSM participants. The two surveys had participants identify key elements about themselves and then identify the attraction of these same elements in others. The results showed there were no universal ideal preferences for MSMs. That said, we found trends suggesting different body typed individuals have strong preferences for other body types. We discuss the practical implications of these findings, including the potential to predict attraction among the MSM population. This research supports the belief that MSMs have strong preferences for potential sexual partners.

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Notes

As of 2019, Grindr had the following body types: ‘toned,' 'average,' 'large,' 'muscular,' 'slim' and 'stocky' (Galistan, 2019).

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Authors and Affiliations

Department of Psychology, Fort Hays State University, 600 Park St., Hays, KS, 67601, USA
Darin J. Challacombe & Nicolas Perdomo

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Darin J. Challacombe
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Nicolas Perdomo
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Correspondence to Darin J. Challacombe.

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Appendices

Appendix 1: Demographics and Sexual Attraction Questions from 2018 Survey

Q1.
How old are you? _________________
Q2.
How do you identify your gender identity?
- ◯ Female/Woman/Girl
- ◯ Male/Man/Boy
- ◯ Other Gender(s)

Q3.
How do you identify your race?
- ◯ American Indian or Alaska Native
- ◯ Asian
- ◯ Black or African American
- ◯ Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
- ◯ Other
- ◯ White

Q4.
How do you identify your ethnicity?
- ◯ Hispanic or Latino
- ◯ Not Hispanic or Latino

Q5.
My body type is ________?
- ◯ Thin
- ◯ Average
- ◯ Athletic
- ◯ Stocky
- ◯ Curvy
- ◯ Muscular

Q6.
The people I like are _______?
- ◯ Thin
- ◯ Average
- ◯ Athletic
- ◯ Stocky
- ◯ Curvy
- ◯ Muscular

Q7.
I have ________?
- ◯ No body hair (completely smooth)
- ◯ A bit of body hair
- ◯ Average body hair
- ◯ Lots of body hair

Q8.
The people I like have ________?
- ◯ No body hair (completely smooth) (1)
- ◯ A bit of body hair (2)
- ◯ Average body hair
- ◯ Lots of body hair

Q9.
The people I like are _________?
- ◯ American Indian or Alaskan Native
- ◯ Asian
- ◯ Black or African American
- ◯ Hispanic or Latino
- ◯ Mediterranean
- ◯ Middle Eastern
- ◯ Mixed
- ◯ Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
- ◯ White

Q10.
In the bedroom…

Q11.
As far as height, I like people who are _______?
- ◯ Shorter than me
- ◯ My height
- ◯ Taller than me

Q12.
As far as weight, I like people who weigh _______?
- ◯ Less than me
- ◯ The same as me
- ◯ More than me

Appendix 2: Hybrid Self-Monitoring Questions

1.
I would probably make a good actor.
2.
I have the ability to control the way I come across to people, depending on the impression I wish to give them.
3.
I have considered being an entertainer.
4.
When I feel that the image I am portraying isn’t working, I can readily change it to something that does.
5.
I can make impromptu speeches even on topics about which I have almost no information.
6.
Once I know what a situation calls for, it’s easy for me to regulate my actions accordingly.
7.
I’m pretty good at entertaining people with jokes, anecdotes, and stories.
8.
In social situations, I have the ability to alter my behavior if I feel that something else is called for.
9.
I can look anyone in the eye and tell a lie with a straight face (if for the right end).
10.
I have found that I can adjust my behavior to meet the requirements of any situation I find myself in.
11.
My close friends know I have a talent for showing off.
12.
Even when it might be to my advantage, I have difficulty putting up a good front.

Appendix 3: Demographics and Sexual Attraction Questions from 2020 Survey

Q1.
How old are you? _________________
Q2.
How do you identify your gender identity?
- ◯ Female/Woman/Girl
- ◯ Male/Man/Boy
- ◯ Other Gender(s)

Q3.
How do you identify your race?
- ◯ American Indian or Alaska Native
- ◯ Asian
- ◯ Black or African American
- ◯ Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
- ◯ Other
- ◯ White

Q4.
How do you identify your ethnicity?
- ◯ Hispanic or Latino
- ◯ Not Hispanic or Latino

Q5.
My body type is ________?
- ◯ Thin
- ◯ Average
- ◯ Athletic
- ◯ Stocky
- ◯ Curvy
- ◯ Muscular

Q6.
The people I like are _______ ?
- ◯ Thin
- ◯ Average
- ◯ Athletic
- ◯ Stocky
- ◯ Curvy
- ◯ Muscular

Q7.
I have ________?
- ◯ No body hair (completely smooth).
- ◯ A bit of body hair
- ◯ Average body hair
- ◯ Lots of body hair

Q8.
The people I like have ________?
- ◯ No body hair (completely smooth) (1)
- ◯ A bit of body hair (2)
- ◯ Average body hair
- ◯ Lots of body hair

Q9.
The people I like are _________?
- ◯ American Indian or Alaskan Native
- ◯ Asian
- ◯ Black or African American
- ◯ Hispanic or Latino
- ◯ Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
- ◯ Other
- ◯ White
- ◯ No preference

Q10.
In the bedroom…

Q11.
In the bedroom…

Q12.
As far as height, I like people who are _______?
- ◯ Shorter than me
- ◯ My height
- ◯ Taller than me

Q13.
As far as weight, I like people who weigh _______?
- ◯ Less than me
- ◯ The same as me
- ◯ More than me

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Challacombe, D.J., Perdomo, N. Attraction Preferences of Men who have Sex with Men. Sexuality & Culture 25, 2010–2034 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-021-09861-6

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Accepted: 02 April 2021
Published: 16 April 2021
Issue Date: December 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-021-09861-6