A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California and Hope College identified a subtle factor influencing male friendships. It turns out that the more men's tastes in terms of women's attractiveness differ, the more likely they are to form a strong friendship.
The study, published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships (JSPR), involved 20 men and 18 women aged about 22 years. Participants rated the attractiveness of photographs of people of the opposite sex and then participated in speed dating sessions.
Analysis of the results showed that men more often chose as friends those whose preferences regarding female beauty differed from their own.
The study authors explain this phenomenon from the point of view of intrasexual competition.
For women, friendliness, intelligence and an interesting personality turned out to be more important qualities when choosing a girlfriend. This is reported by gazeta.ru.
