PSYB70H3 Lecture 1: Interaction Points #4_ Arbitrary social norms influence sex differences in romantic selectivity
Document Summary
According to an evolutionary perspective, heterosexual women are more selective than heterosexual men when it comes to dating. This concept contributes to the idea that men often approach and women are approached in the dating scene. The experiment used in this study involved a speed-dating environment to test the act of physically approaching a potential partner, rather than being approached. This is a behaviour that is more characteristic of men than of women, thus, increasing one"s attraction to that partner. The individuals that are approached would also gain confidence as they sense that they are desired by many potential partners, and as a result, they become more romantically selective. Immediately after each date, participants completed three measures that reflected their romantic desire and chemistry for the respective partner. They also reported the degree to which they experienced self-confidence on that date and whether they would consider seeing each partner again.