Scientists: expensive cars prevented serious relationship

10 May 2018

And it's not the British scientists

Compared to women men are more likely to put their wealth on display. Often, this is done to attract the attention of the opposite sex. One of the most popular and obvious tools like a car. However, scientists Jessica and Daniel Kruger (Kruge Daniel J. and Jessica S. Kruger) from Chicago's Loyola University have proven that a bright vehicle could be something more than just a red rag. Experiments have shown that flashy cars testify to the fact that the man was not ready for a serious relationship.

American scientists wonderfully wove into his theory the works of Charles Darwin. One of the initial steps in the development of his theory of evolution, the great Englishman believed that the peacock's tail does not fit the hypothesis of natural selection: such a striking feature of pretends too visible to predators, which should soon lead to its extinction. Subsequently, however, the old man Darwin realized that the tail provides a significant advantage in reproductive competition, so even with the higher risk of this symptom and have been selected by evolution.

Later, American sociologist Thorstein Veblen (Thorstein Veblen), who lived and worked in the first half of the twentieth century, noted similar behavior in the species Homo sapiens: some people from year to year spend a substantial amount on luxury items, whose value is disproportionate to their usefulness. Like Darwin, Veblen came to the conclusion that such unreasonable at first glance, the investment is analogous to a peacock's tail, raising the attractiveness for women.

On this subject there is a lot of research. For example, in the book "forming a couple" (La formation du couple, 2006) States that in General French women are very reluctant to declare that the status and income of men are an important criterion for selecting a romantic partner (admitted only 12 %). At the same time, the experiment showed that the owner of an expensive car will be twice higher chance to get the phone number from random passers-by, than a young man with a cheap "gray" car.

In General, this is not surprising: on a subconscious level women are confident that richer and more successful man then you will be able to better take care of the children and provide them with the best start in life. In the end, the key goal is the preservation of the offspring.

But as is obvious these theories are connected diametrically opposed conclusions of the spouses Kruger? They went not unusual experiment, which involved 233 men and women. They were asked to rate two images: "lean Dan" and "cock Dave". Each has been allocated about $20 000 on a car purchase. Dan bypassed the dealers and bought a new economical and reliable car with factory warranty. Dave decided to "splash out": purchased for $15,000 on the secondary market is the luxury model not the first freshness, and the remaining money painted it a new color, set of huge wheels and a powerful sound system. The rest of the participants would evaluate the two guys in several respects, including attractiveness and interest in relationships.

As a result, for a long-term relationship "lean Dan" received 67 points out of a possible 80, while the result of "conspicuous Dave" was a half times lower — only 43 points. Many respondents noted that the person who wishes to make a more impressive impression on others, prone to fleeting relationships and chaotic intimate relations. In this case, "peacock's tail" can lead to success only among those who are looking for the same relationship — quick and short.

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