Bad Boy Versus Nice Guy

Jasbina Ahluwalia asks Ty Tashiro, author of The Science of Happily Ever After: What Really Matters in the Quest for Enduring Love: Given that evolutionary backdrop, let’s talk about some dating stereotypes in our culture.

One is that nice guys finish last. Another one is that girls are attracted to bad boys. Tell us about your research with respect to that.

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Ty Tashiro

Bad Boy Versus Nice Guy: Bad Boy Look

The bad boys often have a certain look to them.

  • They often have a powerful build.
  • They have a strong jaw.

That’s the kind of build you get from high testosterone release during adolescence.

Bad Boy Versus Nice Guy: Bad Boy Protection

Here, you have someone who would be great if you were looking for protection or to battle for resources.

Having someone with that kind of build but also a bad attitude, maybe they’re a bit selfish or aggressive, would come in handy.

Bad Boy Versus Nice Guy: Bad Boy Aggression

In modern dating context, it’s not so handy anymore. When you need to be with someone and peacefully coexist for 30, 40 or 50 years, having someone who is selfish and aggressive doesn’t do you a whole lot of good.

You could see how we might have some lingering tendencies to want to choose people based on that characteristic.

Bad Boy Versus Nice Guy: Nice Guy Compassion

Nice guys are the opposite. Nice guys would probably finish last in hunter-gatherer times when you need to be a bit more aggressive.

Nowadays, you might think, “I want to be with someone who is compassionate, kind, will take good care of me and reciprocate the good things that I do.”

The nice guy is exactly the kind of guy that you want for that kind of outcome.

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Tell Us:

In the bad boy versus nice guy discussion, who would be a better suitor for you and why? Share those opinions with us in the comments section below.

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The above is an excerpt from Jasbina’s interview with Ty Tashiro

The entire interview transcript is at: Ty Tashiro Interview – What Really Matters in the Quest for Enduring Love

Listen to the entire interview on: Intersections Match Talk Radio – Jasbina’s Lifestyle Show

Listen to the entire interview on Blog Talk Radio: The Science Of Happily Ever After – Ty Tashiro

Listen to the entire interview on iTunes

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