Hi Rob, this is very interesting information from the standpoint of learning how people, in this case young women, make decisions in a way that is apparently not obvious to them.
However, some of the terminology that you and the researchers use is troubling to me. "Mating success" is probably valid in terms of the viewpoints of the participants in the study. However, I think it would be better to use terminology that reflects what our society should value as success. To me, that would be something like: success is the formation of stable, healthy families that have healthy, treasured children.
The study found an interesting fact - young women in the dating scene prefer more dangerous appearing men. OK, but these dangerous appearing men are (now and again) dangerous to those very young women. And the fact that these individuals are having sex is not the cause of great rejoicing to the community at large. If these individuals started making the choices that lead to their long term happiness, and the long term success of their society - that would be mating success. In my humble opinion.
In his autobiography, Mike Tyson describes how he felt short and ugly compared with guys like Muhammad Ali, who was tall and handsome at 6'3". But Tyson was also extremely muscular (and regularly knocked out guys much larger than himself). Based on reading both their biographies, Tyson was the one who had more overall romantic partners. Height plays a role, but it's likely less important than formidability.
Off to the gym then!
Hi Rob, this is very interesting information from the standpoint of learning how people, in this case young women, make decisions in a way that is apparently not obvious to them.
However, some of the terminology that you and the researchers use is troubling to me. "Mating success" is probably valid in terms of the viewpoints of the participants in the study. However, I think it would be better to use terminology that reflects what our society should value as success. To me, that would be something like: success is the formation of stable, healthy families that have healthy, treasured children.
The study found an interesting fact - young women in the dating scene prefer more dangerous appearing men. OK, but these dangerous appearing men are (now and again) dangerous to those very young women. And the fact that these individuals are having sex is not the cause of great rejoicing to the community at large. If these individuals started making the choices that lead to their long term happiness, and the long term success of their society - that would be mating success. In my humble opinion.
Super interesting. Do you know where height fits in with this? I suspect how tall a man is would be extremely influential as well.
In his autobiography, Mike Tyson describes how he felt short and ugly compared with guys like Muhammad Ali, who was tall and handsome at 6'3". But Tyson was also extremely muscular (and regularly knocked out guys much larger than himself). Based on reading both their biographies, Tyson was the one who had more overall romantic partners. Height plays a role, but it's likely less important than formidability.