Monday, September 23, 2013

Are Chronic Savers More Romantically Attractive than Chronic Spenders

Via the Social Science Research Network:

A Penny Saved is a Partner Earned: The Romantic Appeal of Savers

Jenny G. Olson


University of Michigan - Ross School of Business

Scott Rick


University of Michigan - Ross School of Business

June 5, 2013


Abstract:     
The desire to attract a romantic partner often stimulates conspicuous consumption, but we find that people who chronically save are more romantically attractive than people who chronically spend. Saving up to make a particular purchase also enhances one’s romantic appeal, as long as the planned purchase is not materialistic. Savers are viewed as possessing greater general self-control than spenders, and this perception mediates the relationship between spending habits and attractiveness. Because general self-control also encourages healthy behaviors that promote physical attractiveness, savers are viewed as more physically attractive as well. However, general self-control is not always coveted in potential mates: dispositional and situational factors that increase the need for stimulation reduce the preference for savers. Nevertheless, capitalizing on the general preference for savers over spenders, people are more likely to deceptively describe themselves as savers when completing a dating profile than when completing a private questionnaire. Our work sheds light on how a fundamental consumption behavior (spending and saving decisions) influences the formation of romantic relationships.


Number of Pages in PDF File: 51
Keywords: Decision Making, Interpersonal Relationships, Shopping, Consumer Behavior, Consumer Financial Decision Making, Attraction

In addition to the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, Ann Arbor is also known for some bubonic chronic. I don't know if the two facts are related.
What would we do without research? Free download (51 page PDF)