Do Nice Guys Finish Last?

1. Do Nice Guys Finish Last? Elise Furukawa, Marissa Diehl, and Jordan Heuser

2. How to Spot a Nice Guy • Herold, E. S., & Milhausen, R. R. (1999). Dating preferences of university women: An analysis of the nice guy stereotype. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 25, 333-343. doi: 10.1080/00926239908404010

3. Our Study • Dating Preferences of University Women: An Analysis of the Nice Guy Stereotype • By Herold and Milhausen (1999) • Investigated women’s perceptions of nice guys, and their sexual success compared to bad boys • Herold, E. S., & Milhausen, R. R. (1999). Dating preferences of university women: An analysis of the nice guy stereotype. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 25, 333-343. doi: 10.1080/00926239908404010

4. Definition of Nice Guy/Bad Boy • Dichotomous • Nice guys were either losers or good guys • Losers were boring, inexperienced, weak, and nerdy • Good guys were polite, had high standards, and are less physically attractive • Bad boys were one of four categories: rebel, macho, fun, and sexy guy • Herold, E. S., & Milhausen, R. R. (1999). Dating preferences of university women: An analysis of the nice guy stereotype. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 25, 333-343. doi: 10.1080/00926239908404010 • Herold, E. S., & Milhausen, R. R. (1999). Dating preferences of university women: An analysis of the nice guy stereotype. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 25, 333-343. doi: 10.1080/00926239908404010

5. Methods • Sample size of 165 female undergrads • Wanted to investigate the sexual success of nice guys • Vignettes about nice John and bad boy Mike • Questionnaire was given with 3 measures • Sexual importance • Maximum acceptable level of partner’s sexual experience • Women’s perceptions of nice guys • Hypothesized that sexually conservative women were morel likely to date nice guys • Herold, E. S., & Milhausen, R. R. (1999). Dating preferences of university women: An analysis of the nice guy stereotype. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 25, 333-343. doi: 10.1080/00926239908404010

6. Results • Women using a restricted sociosexual strategy (sexually conservative) are more likely to date nice guys • Want mates who will provide parental investment • Women using an unrestricted sociosexual strategy (promiscuous) are more likely to date bad boys • Want mates who are physically attractive, not looking for long term commitment • Herold, E. S., & Milhausen, R. R. (1999). Dating preferences of university women: An analysis of the nice guy stereotype. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 25, 333-343. doi: 10.1080/00926239908404010

7. Results Continued • 54% of the women chose nice John from the vignettes • But, 56% of the women said they knew other women who said they wanted to date nice guys, but ended up with bad boys instead • By the measure about partner’s maximum acceptable number of sex partners • This is evidence for the nice guy stereotype that is present in the media and in our culture • Herold, E. S., & Milhausen, R. R. (1999). Dating preferences of university women: An analysis of the nice guy stereotype. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 25, 333-343. doi: 10.1080/00926239908404010

8. Discussion • Discrepancy between what women say they want and what they actually do • Women say they want to date nice guys, but prefer bad boys instead • Bad boys are successful with more promiscuous women • If the woman is looking for a short term, casual relationship, she will be more likely to date bad boys • Herold, E. S., & Milhausen, R. R. (1999). Dating preferences of university women: An analysis of the nice guy stereotype. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 25, 333-343. doi: 10.1080/00926239908404010 • Herold, E. S., & Milhausen, R. R. (1999). Dating preferences of university women: An analysis of the nice guy stereotype. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 25, 333-343. doi: 10.1080/00926239908404010

9. Any questions?