Winners, Losers, and Choosers

Abstract

Two studies on interpersonal attraction were conducted at a commercial video-dating service. Profiles of members were rated on age, physical attractiveness, status, humor and warmth. In the first study, significant differences were found between popular and unpopular males, physically attractive males being more popular. Popular females were found to be younger and more attractive than unpopular females. The second study investigated the dating choices and rejections of twenty new members. Higher status and physical attractiveness were significant predictors of males being chosen by females, whereas the only significant predictor of females being chosen by males was physical attractiveness. Males tended to choose and reject younger women. and females tended to choose and reject older men. There was also a tendency for both sexes to choose targets of higher social desirability and reject targets of lower social desirability. We concluded that the male-older, female-younger norm and physical attractiveness are important factors in dating initiation strategies for both sexes, although females also rely on status.

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