14 DAY TRIAL // Scientists have determined that an increased level of wealth tends to change the way women look for potential mates. In other words, their taste in men may suffer radical changes when they become rich, in something that some experts are already calling the George Clooney Effect.
A team of psychologists in Scotland has looked at the way women behave in this regard as they become increasingly financially secure. Their focus was shifted from men that could provide for them to older, more attractive potential partners.
The fact that women look for men that can provide for them, and men look for women that look attractive, has been known for centuries. But what came as a surprise was the fact that these tendencies were not necessarily kept throughout a person's life time.
This correlation could not be observed in the past given the historic status that females had until not long ago. They were kept subservient and dependent on their men, and in some societies they still are to this day.
But increasing numbers manage to make it through the rough world of men, and reach social positions that allow them financial security. For this subgroup, preferences change with wealth, the team says.
One of the most interesting aspects of the research is the fact that wealthy women express greater and greater certainty and confidence when selecting their partner.
A shift in focus is also registered from instinctive preferences (material stability, security, children) to physical attractiveness and age. Women who are well off therefore tend to prefer males that are older than they are, and well past their youth.
“Previous research shows that men place greater importance on physical attractiveness when picking a partner, whereas women focus much more on whether someone can provide material resources,” explains study leader Dr. Fhionna Moore.
“We’d assumed that as women earn more, their partner preferences would actually become more like those of men, with a tendency towards preferring younger, more attractive partners rather than those who can provide and care for children,” she adds.
“However, the preferred age difference did not change as we’d expected – more financially independent women actually preferred even older men,” the expert goes on to say.
“We think this suggests greater financial independence gives women more confidence in partner choices, and attracts them to powerful, attractive older men,” Moore says.
The team conducted an online survey on some 3,770 heterosexual men and women, who were questioned about their background, education, personal situation, and financial background.
Full details of the investigation appear in the latest online issue of the esteemed journal Evolutionary Psychology, PsychCentral reports.
“The behavior of men and women does become more similar as women earn more, but only in terms of the importance of physical attraction,” Moore says.
“But the similarities stop there: greater income makes women prefer even older men, and men prefer even younger women,” she concludes.