I'm SURE it's instinctive. Even today it still has some survival value.
Granted, it has gotten way outta hand when chicks won't date a guy who doesn't drive a car that costs more than her yearly salary.
True. That's rather out of hand. The normal impulse to want a provider may be natural and morally acceptable yet the exaggeration ("gold-digging") can become sin. It's akin the difference between between wanting a reasonably fit mate versus insisting on supermodel perfection. Besides, this behavior is self defeating, as there aren't enough rich men, or perfect bodies of either sex, to go around; those with unrealistic standards often never marry, in my observation.
Also, I have to say, if a man asks a woman out, and she's not interested -- if the man was polite in his approach she is morally obligated to turn him down politely. Yet some women -- even alleged "Christians" -- seem to think that if a man is beneath them (lower income, "nerdy", or whatever), they have the right to humiliate him just for daring to find them attractive.
I agree, even after first dates where it becomes painfully apparent that all the two of you have in common is being warmblooded mammals; a woman should be kind and gracefully decline any further dates.
BUT the guy is also obligated not to act amazed and say "But, but, you are alone! (Translation you should be grateful for any male attention) And we got along OK! Why don't you wanna go out again!!?" (I have come to realize that the male translation of "soul mate" is "A breathing non-bagger with 38 DD's")
~~sigh~~
So I usually just smile sweetly and say "I guess it's the dementia from the schizo-affective disorder kickin'in. Now where did I put my ax?"