They argue that in the representatives of the opposite sex they are attracted primarily by the mind. Can intelligence really be an aphrodisiac? Psychologist Jose Herrera and sexologist Yevgeny Kashchenko comment.
The British online dictionary Collins Dictionary has this definition: “A sapiosexual is someone who finds a developed intellect the most sexually attractive trait.” British actress Marianne Faithfull, once dropping this outlandish word in an interview, seems to have expressed what was spinning on the tongue of many trendy intellectuals.
The traditional features of the image of the school “nerd” – awkwardness, obsession with science and knowledge, autistic behavior – have become part of the new youth lifestyle. Fashion for “geek-chic” (from the English word geek – “eccentric”, “clever”) made popular images with ridiculous square glasses with thick frames, backpacks and plaid shirts buttoned to the very throat.
The heroes of films and serials have become strange-looking, but brilliant scientists, eccentric writers and philosophers, crazy experts. And the invention of the term “sapiosexual” finally approved the status of an aphrodisiac for the intellect.
Fashion trend or new reality?
“We are talking about metrosexuals, sapiosexuals, but it is important to understand that all this has nothing to do with sexual orientation or any other fundamental elements of human sexuality. It’s just that from time to time certain types appear, primarily in the images of popular culture, which we could be guided by in our choice, ”says sexologist Yevgeny Kashchenko. But why are they talking about sapiosexuals right now?
“We are talking only about a new name, while the phenomenon itself has been known for a long time,” says psychologist and life coach Jose Herrera. “Like the metrosexuals, who became the modern reincarnation of the XNUMXth-century dandy, the sapiosexuals also had counterparts in other eras.
As a rule, passion for the mind, rationality and complexity of judgments was at its peak during the technological upsurge, when scientists, inventors, innovators became idols. Today, when technology is developing especially rapidly, such a reaction in society looks quite natural.”
The right to freedom
If we turn to the heroes, whose image has already become canonical for sapiosexuals, we will find many frankly contradictory and even unattractive features in them. Dr. House, Sherlock, theoretical physicist Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory – all these heroes cannot boast of either impressive physical data, or charming manners, or noble character. On the contrary, they often do not take care of themselves, treat others with disdain and generally allow themselves too much superfluous.
But this is their charm – that they can afford a lot. Moreover – without eccentric behavior, they would look less impressive. When Sherlock makes fun of the narrow-mindedness of his friend John Watson, as well as authorities, police and criminals, he once again confirms his power over them.
Being just a private consultant, that is, without high status, power and money, he nevertheless rises to the occasion due to his inherent quality – intelligence. Moreover, he despises formal regalia, preferring to remain independent and always do only what interests him. And this is already a luxury.
Universal criterion
There is another reason why the mind as an indicator of sexual attractiveness is coming to the fore right now. “Today, forums, chats and social networks have become a common medium for young people to communicate,” says José Herrera. – Electronic communication, instant messages – all this limits the tools of seduction, such as body language, intonation, look.
But at the same time, the role of the text is growing. Your success with others depends on how well you can express your thoughts, how witty and accurate your remarks are.
It turns out that in a world where information becomes the main value, such parameters as gender, age, personal condition and even external attractiveness turn out to be less important. «Each of us at birth receives a body and can improve it, but there are limits. And you can develop intelligence in a much larger range, ”emphasizes Herrera.
In addition, intelligence is also a convenient platform on which to build relationships in the future. “If we talk about harmonious relations, then, of course, the union of two smart, intellectually developed people is favorable,” says Yevgeny Kashchenko. “Both partners know what they want, and in this sense it is easier for them to avoid situations of misunderstanding.”