Probability of acceptance in dating choice.

Examined the influence of probability of acceptance and physical attractiveness on dating choice in 3 experiments. In Exp I, 15 female undergraduates made preferential choices between 2 male dates, each described by a photograph and a statement of the probability of acceptance. Both probability and attractiveness of the date were found to be important in Ss' judgments. Further, a multiplying rule for the combination of probability of acceptance and attractiveness was supported, in agreement with the subjective expected utility theory of risky decision making. In Exp II, the same Ss made preferential choices between pairs of dates described by photographs alone. The preferences for 11 of the 15 Ss could be accounted for only by using both probability and attractiveness. A multiplicative combination of probability and attractiveness was also found to be predictive of dating choices made by these Ss. Exp III replicated the results of Exp II with a new group of 14 Ss. Results suggest that (a) females are influenced by both probability of acceptance and physical attractiveness in dating choice, and (b) they tend to combine probability with attractiveness in a multiplicative fashion. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)