Breakthrough research from a Bristol University psychologist has found ‘definitive scientific proof’ that beer goggles exist.
Jon Wiltshire from Epigram, Bristol University’s independent newspaper, reports:
Research led by Marcus Munafò from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Bristol shows that alcohol consumption and the level of attractiveness of other people are directly correlated; alcohol can increase perceived attractiveness by up to 10%, so potentially verifying the age old excuse of alcohol excess as an excuse for embarrassing sexual escapades.
The test showed that after consuming alcohol, heterosexuals rated both the same and opposite sexes as more attractive in comparison to a control group who had not consumed any alcohol.
The tests also showed that the subjects not only found the opposite sex more attractive, but also found their own gender better looking.
Professor Munafò wished to take the experiment further by seeing how people rated attractiveness when they were no longer able to focus on a face, but was limited by study ethics.
Yet, despite these widely respected results, the debate is not entirely over. Robert Leeman, from Yale University, argues that alcohol consumption often provides those who drink with an acceptable social situation, and therefore an excuse, to indulge in risky and normally unacceptable sexual behaviour.
