By Daki on Wednesday, October 14, 1998 - 12:23 am:
Conclusions, regardless of how poorly the researcher may have condutcted the study, is still important. In this case, we can assume that for students in a moderate-sized city in the western united States tend to follow certain evolutionary traits, with regards to age preferences. I agree with Angela, in that you can't just look at mariage patterns and single ads to determine generalizations for the whole society. Perhaps most people who write personal ads, or get married may follow these evolutionary trends, however they cannot be attributed to the population as a whole.
Regardless, I still find the conclusions interesting. The fact that our age preferences are (supposedly) based on subconscious ideals of fertility and wealth (and to think that it was all Good Looks :) makes me wonder as to why the fashion and cosmetics industry is so popular. Perhaps make-up and fashion accentuate parts of our body or face that would lead us to believe that they look more "fertile" than a person without make-up (I'm speaking from a male point of view of course :)
Although I know that a more thourough study would have to be done, I still believe that most of what was said in the conclusion is valid (this is my own opinion though). It would make sense as to why the males studied would choose females older than them.
By Angela on Wednesday, October 14, 1998 - 09:52 am:
They do say clothes make the man. Also beards can make a man look older, and w/out one younger. These aren't so much a fertlity thing, unless a full grown beard is a sign of health, but as strength issue. Men's suits tend to make the shoulders look broader, hence stronger. Also suits are a power symbol in our society as well. A man of status will probaly look more attractive. A lot of uniforms, (armed forces), can also give this effect. Teenage girls at around 12 will definatly find older teen boys more attractive. because they look more like men than a 12 yr old boy. The point I was trying to make was that that the conclusions don't have to be considered important if you consider things from a more sociological view. A lot of these dating preferences can be explained both ways.