Men with monotone voices are more attractive to women, a study has suggested
Monotonous voices are associated with strength, power and confidence, researchers said.
The study at universities in California and Pennysylvania, US, found that men with a steady tone of voice had a significantly higher number of sexual partners than their more expressive counterparts.
Researchers measured the voices of male volunteers in various situations, including a simulated dating game, and analysed the results.
The amount their vocal pitch changed – known as fundamental frequency variation – was found to be directly linked to the number of sexual partners the men had in the past year.
Experts believe that the monotone has evolved as an indication of authority and independence. They cited George Clooney and Clint Eastwood as examples of men who have nonotone voice but are considered sexy.
The constant frequency of a monotonous voice shows a man is in control, while anxiety triggers a rise in vocal frequency and aggression causes it to deepen.
Professor David Puts, who led the research at Pennsylvania State University, said: “The power would be attractive, not the voice as such.
“It appears that the women are preferring males who are higher in status. It would be the status they would be most interested in.”
Men who used masculine language – such as those who said “I am bigger and stronger than most men” – were also rated more attractive in the study of 200 men and women published in the Archives Of Sexual Behaviour journal.