Marginal Revolution: The Difference Between Men and Women
For those who think that economics is boring, or has nothing relevant to say about daily life, I submit the following. Read this and tell me that economics doesn’t rock:
What’s the most effective pickup line on a college campus? Psychologists Elaine Hatfield and Russ Clark had actors (independently judged to be attractive) approach students of the opposite sex with a variety of lines and recorded their success rates. The lines were:
1) I’ve been noticing you around campus and I find you attractive. Would you go out with me tonight?
2) I’ve been noticing you around campus and I find you attractive. Would you come over to my apartment tonight?
3) I’ve been noticing you around campus and I find you attractive. Would you sleep with me tonight?
OK, so they’re actually psychologists. But since economics is really the study of whatever we want to study, and this made it onto a notable econ blog, we’ll just pretend for the day.
Fine, the results aren’t that surprising. If I were to start going up to college women and asking to sleep with them, I wouldn’t have success. But then again, 75% of women (apparently) would have success doing the same with guys like me. And if you just ask someone on a date using this method, you’ve got a 50/50 chance regardless of your gender. That’s pretty impressive.
I can think of someone who needs this information… hopefully she’s reading. Good thing we economists are looking out for the greater good 
Posted on October 29th, 2004 by Lee
Filed under: Uncategorized
See “hey you want to come over to sleep with me?” takes half the fun out of it. So much of the suspense and excitement is built upon not knowing what the other person is thinking or wanting and not knowing what’s going to happen… flying by the seat of your pants and trying to retain some control, but to give room for the other person. “hey you want to go on a date?” keeps this sense of mystery and excitement, makes it all a complicated give-and-take, a slightly dangerous dance. (mmmm)
I know *I* could definitely use this information. I feel like I’ve heard of some kind of study like this through the years in my psych classes, but I never really thought about it. 50/50 chances, huh?