<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Recent evolutionary experimental psychological research found that high verbal proficiency (VP) increased the perceived attractiveness of individuals (more so for males than females), especially in the context of a long-term relationship. Our study had the objective of replicating and extending this research. Similar to previous studies, audio files in which speakers performed scripted self-presentations that had equal content but varied on VP were used as stimuli for opposite-sex participants. VP was found to increase attractiveness ratings. The effects were mostly small for numerous variables relating to short-term mating, whereas they were moderate to large for long-term mating. Our participants attributed more future income, but not more total number of mates to speakers with higher VP. Female menstrual cycle effects on attractiveness ratings were not found. Contrary to former research, being more verbally proficient was not found to be more beneficial for one sex over the other.</p></abstract>

Recent evolutionary experimental psychological research found that high verbal proficiency (VP) increased the perceived attractiveness of individuals (more so for males than females), especially in the context of a long-term relationship. Our study had the objective of replicating and extending this research. Similar to previous studies, audio files in which speakers performed scripted self-presentations that had equal content but varied on VP were used as stimuli for opposite-sex participants. VP was found to increase attractiveness ratings. The effects were mostly small for numerous variables relating to short-term mating, whereas they were moderate to large for long-term mating. Our participants attributed more future income, but not more total number of mates to speakers with higher VP. Female menstrual cycle effects on attractiveness ratings were not found. Contrary to former research, being more verbally proficient was not found to be more beneficial for one sex over the other.

Only Cheap Talk after All? New Experimental Psychological Findings on the Role of Verbal Proficiency in Mate Choice

Media Psychology, Julius Maximilian, University of Würzburg, Campus Hubland Nord, Oswald-Kulpe-Weg 82, D-97074, Würzburg,

Julius Maximilian, University of Würzburg,

Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg,

Psychology of Language and Communication

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Recent evolutionary experimental psychological research found that high verbal proficiency (VP) increased the perceived attractiveness of individuals (more so...

Only Cheap Talk after All? New Experimental Psychological Findings on the Role of Verbal Proficiency in Mate Choice

Published Online: Oct 27, 2016

Page range: 1 - 22

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/plc-2016-0001

Keywords
attractiveness, evolutionary psychology, mate choice, sexual selection, verbal proficiency

© by Benjamin P. Lange

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Only Cheap Talk after All? New Experimental Psychological Findings on the Role of Verbal Proficiency in Mate Choice

Published Online: Oct 27, 2016

Page range: 1 - 22

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/plc-2016-0001

Keywordsattractiveness, evolutionary psychology, mate choice, sexual selection, verbal proficiency

© by Benjamin P. Lange

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
attractiveness, evolutionary psychology, mate choice, sexual selection, verbal proficiency