Nonverbal cues are tip off to sexual interest.

• Position: Women - Brief article

Providing instruction and feedback to college-aged men can help them more accurately interpret nonverbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, from their female peers when determining a woman's current level of sexual interest, relates a study at the University of Iowa, Iowa City. Eventually, this type of research might be useful in enhancing efforts to prevent sexual aggression on college campuses, says Teresa Treat, professor of psychology.

"Sexual aggression is a serious problem on college campuses across the country. While current prevention programs are very valuable, they are not yet as effective as any of us would like them to be. Researchers have shown that misperception of a woman's sexual-interest cues plays a role in sexual aggression; this research takes the novel step of trying to modify what people focus on when judging a woman's sexual interest.

"Instruction could help even men who are at a higher risk of sexual aggression to focus on women's nonverbal cues."

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