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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.
A friend of mine has threatened for years to write a semi-autobiography about his years in bars. Working title: "Is That a Real Rolex?"
Just curious if anyone reading this article ever saw Dudley Moore’s movie, “Crazy People”............
"I was hoping for a Longines."
Swiss Timing and all........ LOL!
Compared to my wife, yours is extremely tolerant. Mine would start by performing a field vasectomy and continue on from there.
Only if it was a 63 Stingray...hard top.
Yup - funny movie, hello.
And don’t blame me, I drive a beat-up minivan, hello.
“On the other hand, most men I know don’t dress in skin-tight, form-fitting, and low cut clothing either.”
Well, why ~not~?
Throw in a cod piece and I’ll look.
:)
Some of us women NEVER had our heads turned by a man driving Porsche. I was looking for a husband, not a fling.
It’s kind of her to just do a vasectomy... ;)
Horseback riding is supposed to be another.
Since I am allergic to horses this is 3rd hand information.
Tony Capanna and my dad built a Watson Roadster with a Hemi innit in 1954 and took it to Indy. That thing was unstoppable and was so much faster than the Offy’s they banned it before the final day of qualifying. That’s why you never ever saw a Hemi powered car racing at Indy
The word “Miata” means “Fits nicely under a semi” in Italian.
The ex Mr. lonevoice bought himself a new red convertible vette just before I kicked him to the curb. Male menopause is so not sexy.
The women friends I hang out with are those who’ve got their own. In other words, if they were attracted to Porsches, they have the means to buy one for themselves (and not have to go into debt to do it). When it comes to what we find attractive in a man, most of us agree: IQ points.
Who cares if he owns a Porsche? However, if he buys ME a Porsche he's now a whole lot more desirable. (Just kidding!!!)
Who cares if he owns a Porsche? However, if he buys ME a Porsche he's now a whole lot more desirable. (Just kidding!!!)
Poor post editing.
Should’ve been Charger -then- Cuda.
Pardon my auto addendum faux pas.
There’s a guy who goes to the local rod meet every Saturday with a positively cherry HemiCuda.
I have to stand back 18” so as not cover it in drool.
:)
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