A new study out of Waseda and Kyushu Universities in Japan puts the femme fatale archetype to the test.
According to the study, female spies in movies often win "the trust of her male target using her physical attractiveness. The male target usually suspects that she is a spy, but because of her attractiveness, he becomes amorously entangled with the female spy despite concerns regarding her trustworthiness."
The key to preventing men from being seduced by attractive females, according to the study? An antibiotic called Minocycline.
Researchers tested the effect of the drug on 98 male participants. One group of men was given the minocycline, and a second group was given a placebo.
The men were then shown photos of female faces, and were asked to evaluate how trustworthy they thought each female was, as well as how physically attractive each woman was. They were also asked to determine how much of 1300 yen (around $13.35) they would choose to give each female. (Click over to the study for more.)
The results indicated that men were more trusting of women that they found attractive. But men who took the Minocycline were less likely to trust attractive women and less likely to give them money, meaning that the femme fatale effect is dissipated and men are less likely to be "seduced."
This isn't the first time seduction has been tested in the lab. A study published last year in the Journal of Neuroscience indicated that when men in committed relationships are given the hormone oxytocin, they stay physically further away from attractive women. Single men, and men in committed relationships who did not receive oxytocin, were comfortable standing at a closer distance to attractive women.
Click through the slideshow for other reasons men cheat, according to men:
