The wedding ring effect

Finding the right person to marry is not a simple matter. Individuals are often restricted and often depend on indirect cues when accessing the mate value of potential partner. Women seem to imitate each other’s choice; in other words, the probability of a woman choosing a particular man increases if he has already been chosen by other females. It’s a psychological phenomenon known as the ‘wedding ring effect’ and explains why women are more attracted to married men.

There are numerous competing theories as to why this happens. Some suggest that the wedding ring is a cue that a man is ‘safe’, a passing opportunity for empty flirting; while others theorise that the female psyche sees the ring as an indication that another woman has deemed him worthy. Perhaps practice is the key to being a good mate, and females tend pick the male they know has put in some hours.