What do women want - the research study

Reuters Health: "New research confirms what romance novelists have known for years: for brief affairs, women tend to prefer a dominating, powerful and promiscuous man. However, when considering a long-term relationship, women are more likely to turn to a compassionate, sensitive and monogamous man." The research methods sound interesting.

During the study, reported in the journal Human Nature, Kruger and his colleagues asked 257 female undergraduate students to read passages from 17th and 18th century British literature describing characters that matched one of the two personality types. Around 70% of participants said they came from a non-Western European background.

In the passages, dad characters appeared domestic, peaceable, bookish, gentle and compassionate. In contrast, cads were portrayed as arrogant, moody, rebellious, strong and successful with beautiful women.

Women then answered a series of questions about which characters they would prefer in different situations, for instance, a sexual affair, a road trip, marriage, or a future son-in-law.

Another article about this study says it used "18th and 19th century British literature," which makes more sense. Of course the basic romance novel plot involves being swept off one's feet by a dominating, arrogant man, then gradually bringing out his compassionate, sensitive side until he's the ideal synthesis, at which point you can live happily ever after with him. This study gives me an idea for a self-help book aimed at fellow bookish nice guys: All I Really Need to Know About Picking Up Girls I Learned from Jane Eyre.

Posted on Wed, Oct 29, 2003 at 10:38 AM