An Analytical Approach on Why Not to Act Like the Nice Guy
An Analytical Approach on Why Not to Act like the Nice Guy
University of South Florida
Author Note
The author is an Undergraduate student at the University of South Florida-Tampa
An Analytical Approach on Why Not to Act like the Nice Guy
Various research studies have been conducted on the multiple facets that lead readers to the conclusion that “nice guys finish first”. These studies focused on the effects of altruism, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and cooperation. However, some of the latest research within the realm of social psychology suggests a contradictory conclusion. Taking an innovative approach, these researchers examined what happens when participants engage in a not so cooperative and agreeable manner. This paper examines research from both sides of the spectrum, and if there really is a benefit for the display of a dominant and selfish behavior within the right context in our current world. For clarity sake, the terms dominant and agreeable can be thought of as the personality traits that describe the “bad boy” and the “good guy”.
Dominance vs. Agreeableness within Interpersonal Relations
Throughout these days in society it seems as if popular culture has started to inherit the desire for the “Bad Boy” image in not only the dating scene, but the meeting room as well. Let us first investigate how dominance and agreeableness come into play within the dating realm. When it comes to dating, there are two possible routes to pursue. The first route can be thought of as the “short term” approach, focusing on the here and now. This type of dating involves having multiple partners with no intent of becoming emotionally attached and seeking out sexual satisfaction. A vast majority of those who withhold this type of dating ideology are physically attractive and sexy (Gangestad & Thornhill, 1997; Thornhill & Gangestad, 1994). Along with the looks, internal traits often include dominance within a social context (Jobling, 2002; Kruger et al.,
University of South Florida
Author Note
The author is an Undergraduate student at the University of South Florida-Tampa
An Analytical Approach on Why Not to Act like the Nice Guy
Various research studies have been conducted on the multiple facets that lead readers to the conclusion that “nice guys finish first”. These studies focused on the effects of altruism, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and cooperation. However, some of the latest research within the realm of social psychology suggests a contradictory conclusion. Taking an innovative approach, these researchers examined what happens when participants engage in a not so cooperative and agreeable manner. This paper examines research from both sides of the spectrum, and if there really is a benefit for the display of a dominant and selfish behavior within the right context in our current world. For clarity sake, the terms dominant and agreeable can be thought of as the personality traits that describe the “bad boy” and the “good guy”.
Dominance vs. Agreeableness within Interpersonal Relations
Throughout these days in society it seems as if popular culture has started to inherit the desire for the “Bad Boy” image in not only the dating scene, but the meeting room as well. Let us first investigate how dominance and agreeableness come into play within the dating realm. When it comes to dating, there are two possible routes to pursue. The first route can be thought of as the “short term” approach, focusing on the here and now. This type of dating involves having multiple partners with no intent of becoming emotionally attached and seeking out sexual satisfaction. A vast majority of those who withhold this type of dating ideology are physically attractive and sexy (Gangestad & Thornhill, 1997; Thornhill & Gangestad, 1994). Along with the looks, internal traits often include dominance within a social context (Jobling, 2002; Kruger et al.,
References: Ahmetoglu, G., Swami, V (2012). Do Women Prefer “Nice Guys”: The Effect of Male Dominance Behavior on Women’s Ratings of Sexual Attractiveness De Cremer, D., & Van Vugt, M. (2002). Intergroup and intragroup aspects of leadership in social dilemmas: A relational model of cooperation. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 38,126–136. doi:10.1006/jesp.2001.1499 Digman, J Durante, K. M., Griskevicius, V., Simpson, J. A., Cantú, S. M., & Li, N. P. (2012). Ovulation leads women to perceive sexy cads as good dads. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 103(2), 292-305. doi:10.1037/a0028498 Gangestad, S Gangestad, S. W., & Thornhill, R. (1997). Human sexual selection and developmental stability. Evolutionary social psychology (pp. 169–196) Halevy, N., Chou, E Kruger, D., Fisher, M., & Jobling, I. (2003). Proper and dark heroes as dads and cads. Human Nature, 14, 305–317. doi:10.1007/s12110-003-1008-y Lancaster, J Thornhill, R., & Gangestad, S. W. (1994). Fluctuating asymmetry correlates with lifetime sex partner numbers and age at first sex in Homosapiens. Psychological Science, 5,(297–302.)doi:10.1111/j.1467- 9280.1994.tb00629.x