Evolutionary psychologists have tried to answer why individuals who are more physically attractive should also, on average, be more intelligent, and have put forward the notion that both general intelligence and physical attractiveness may be indicators of underlying genetic fitness. From research done in the United States and United Kingdom, it was found that objective measures of physical attractiveness and intelligence are positively correlated and that the association between the two attributes is stronger among men than among women. In many cases, humans subconsciously attribute positive characteristics, such as intelligence and honesty, to physically attractive people, a psychological phenomenon called the Halo effect. Physical attraction itself includes universal perceptions common to all human cultures such as facial symmetry, sociocultural dependent attributes and personal preferences unique to a particular individual. There are many factors which influence one person's attraction to another, with physical aspects being one of them.

The term often implies sexual attractiveness or desirability, but can also be distinct from either. Physical attractiveness is the degree to which a person's physical features are considered aesthetically pleasing or beautiful. Xi Shi ( 西施), born 506 BC, was one of the Four Great Beauties of ancient China. The goddess has been associated with sexuality, love, and fertility.

Ishtar, Mesopotamian goddess of sexual love and war.

Michelangelo's David is considered a symbol of young male beauty and strength.

Flat chest is a status symbol