Scientists have once again proved what you already intuitively guessed.
Researchers from the University of Buffalo (USA) have conducted two studies to find out whether narrative ability (in other words, the ability to speak well) affects attractiveness to the opposite sex.
In the first experiment, participants were shown a number of pictures of people of the opposite sex. At the same time as they were shown the pictures, they were also given information about whether the person was a good narrator, where they were from, how old they were and whether they liked spaghetti. All the photos were divided into three parts: A “good storyteller” (this type was described using phrases such as “rich vocabulary”, “his stories at parties are always popular”, “always able to make people laugh”), an “average storyteller” (oratory skills were not specifically mentioned) and a “bad storyteller” (“often doesn’t talk at parties”, “sometimes he has trouble finding words to express his thoughts”).
Participants were then asked to rate photographs in terms of attractiveness for dating and sex, long-term relationships and as a friend. The result was that being a good story-teller made a man more attractive in a woman’s eyes when it came to long term relationships.
Men, on the other hand, don’t care at all. Their perceptions of a woman’s attractiveness were not affected by the quality of a talented storyteller.
In the second experiment, questions about attractiveness were added to the questions: “Who do you think has the qualities of a leader?”, “Who is admirable?”, “Who can lead?” As in the first case, women scored higher on good storytellers.
The explanation is evolutionary. Men spread their genes widely (at least they try to), while women are targeted. Also, men and women spend different amounts of effort on offspring: the former may be limited to sexual intercourse only, while women’s investment includes months of pregnancy and raising offspring. Thus, men can afford to take their choice of partner rather lightly, while women subconsciously look for someone who can help with the upbringing of offspring.
Scientists suggest that in primitive societies, the one who could explain supernatural phenomena automatically gained power and privileges. This is why women subconsciously believe that such a partner is more promising.
It looks like we will have to put aside our signature seduction trick – the meaningful sniffing.
