Posted on 07/18/2011 1:01:01 PM PDT by null and void
New research finds that men’s conspicuous spending is driven by the desire to have uncommitted romantic flings. And, gentlemen, women can see right through it. Study shows that flashy spending may work for the short term but not for marriage. Just as peacocks flaunt their tails before potential mates, men may flaunt flashy products to charm potential dates. Notably, not all men favored this strategy – just those men who were interested in short-term sexual relationships with women.
The series of studies, "Peacocks, Porsches and Thorstein Veblen: Conspicuous Consumption as a Sexual Signaling System," was conducted with nearly 1,000 test subjects and published recently in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. The research was performed by faculty at Rice University, the University of Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) and the University of Minnesota.
"This research suggests that conspicuous products, such as Porsches, can serve the same function for some men that large and brilliant feathers serve for peacocks," said Jill Sundie, assistant professor of marketing at UTSA and lead author of the paper.
"The studies show that some men are like peacocks. They’re the ones driving the bright colored sports car," said co-author Vladas Griskevicius, assistant professor of marketing at the University of Minnesota.
According to the researchers, women found a man who chose to purchase a flashy luxury product (such as a Porsche) more desirable than the same man who purchased a non-luxury item (such as a Honda Civic). However, there was a catch: although women found the flashy men more desirable for a date, the man with the Porsche was not preferred as a marriage partner. Women inferred from a man's flashy spending that he was interested in uncommitted sex.
"When women considered him for a long-term relationship, owning the sports car held no advantage relative to owning an economy car," said co-author Daniel Beal, assistant professor of psychology at Rice. "People may feel that owning flashy things makes them more attractive as a relationship partner, but in truth, many men might be sending women the wrong message."
Though often associated with Western culture, extreme forms of conspicuous displays have been found in cultures across the globe and throughout history. While finding that men may use conspicuous consumption as a short-term mating signal, the researchers discovered that women don't behave in the same manner and don’t conspicuously spend to attract men. "Obviously, women also spend plenty of money on expensive things," Sundie said. "But the anticipation of romance doesn't trigger flashy spending as it does with some men."
Other co-authors of the study are Kathleen Vohs, University of Minnesota; Douglas Kenrick, Arizona State University; and Joshua Tybur, University of New Mexico.
Men who drive pickup trucks are sexy.
“And, gentlemen, women can see right through it.”
Yea, right.
That is why they go after the guys with Porsche’s.
A woman would be more attracted to a red ‘vette than a Porshie.
*imagines Thomas Friedman, Al Gore, Obama, or Soros driving past in a porsche* Nope. Does not make them appealing to me.
Okay, but large and colorful feathers can’t pull more than a ‘g’ on a skid pad.
However, there was a catch: although women found the flashy men more desirable for a date, the man with the Porsche was not preferred as a marriage partner. Women inferred from a man’s flashy spending that he was interested in uncommitted sex.
So, if you want women who just want sex, get a Porsche. Is that what this article is saying?
Yup real men drive Pickups and 4X4s(and Harleys).....
metrosexuals drive porsches.....
No, but a female driving a T-Bird requires that men ask if my husband bought it for me. The answer is NO, I bought it myself.
When I was driving a Corvett, I did so for my own pleasure. And a pleasure it was. The Vet did attract a certain number of women but I never told them about the car until I picked them up for a date. They loved the car. A Vet is like any other hotrod, it’s an ego trip for the driver. They shouldn’t make more than that of it.
By whom?
Like chicken soup, IT CAN’T HURT!..................
Who marries before a first date?
My Pick-up IS s 4 x 4 AND I have a Harley! No wonder my wife finds me irresistable!!!
Show me a guy in a ‘68 HemiCuda or HemiCharger and then I’ll look.
Flashy is probably in the eye of the beholder. Personally I don’t care for pick up trucks (and I’m from TX—go figure!), so I wouldn’t find them particularly sexy. In fact, I can’t imagine looking at the car a guy drives as a factor —as long as it runs and isn’t a rambling wreck it wouldn’t matter a bit to me.
Maybe in Metrosexualville...
Men who drive pickup trucks are sexy.
Yep, Manly men:) And women who desire only men with porsches are materialistic and are good only for arm candy. Although, that is all some men with Porsches are looking for.
and I forgot to mention:
60s and 70s muscle cars and Hotrods...
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