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What types of men are most attractive and most repulsive to women?

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Abstract

This study investigated the effect of gender role related characteristics in men on romantic and platonic attraction in women. Ninety-six female college students (approximately 70% Caucasian; 20% Mexican American; and 10% African American) were given a booklet containing descriptions of stimulus males. Feminine males were preferred as friends and romantic partners over masculine males. Feminine and masculine males were more attractive as friends than as dates. Income and occupational status did not affect platonic attraction, and occupational status did not affect romantic attraction. Income had a positive effect on romantic attraction only for those participants who were presented with males having socially desirable personality traits, suggesting that college women only consider men's income after personality criteria have been met.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. California State University, San Bernardino, USA

    Stephan Desrochers

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  1. Stephan Desrochers
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Additional information

This study was based on a thesis project completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the master of arts degree in psychology at California State University in San Bernardino. Gloria Cowan, Ph.D., is gratefully acknowledged for her help throughout all phases of this project.

To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, who is now at the Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557-0062.

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Desrochers, S. What types of men are most attractive and most repulsive to women?. Sex Roles 32, 375–391 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01544603

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