Ladder theory

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The Ladder Theory, or "LT," is a folk psychology explanation of the ways in which men and women evaluate members of the opposite sex upon first impressions. This decision is typically made quickly and is often final. This determines the other's potential as a future mate. LT began as satire, but developed into a more fully fleshed-out model of the dynamics of male-female attraction.

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[edit] Lovers and Acquaintances

LT attempts to explain differences in how heterosexual men and women evaluate potential opposite-sex sexual partners and friends. It stresses that men are more ready to have sex with female friends more than the reverse. Based on this notion, a man being friends with a woman lowers the chances, that he can have sex with her.

LT argues that heterosexuals categorize people of the opposite sex into either possible sexual partners or nonsexual acquaintances. Each category haves a sequential ranking among members within them, according to how willing the person is to have sex with the other, or how much the person values their friendship. It describes these categories and their subsequent ranking systems as "ladders."

[edit] Nice Guys and Intellectual Whores

A focal point of LT is the so-called "nice guys," who attempt to garner a female's attraction by appealing to her through supplicating gestures. Typically the man appears weak and is likely fated to stay "just friends" with the woman forever. This dynamic makes the man something the LT calls an intellectual whore, is a man who quickly gives up his emotions and intellectual stimulation in exchange for physical pleasure. The term, "Intellectual Whore," is derived from a short-story by Woody Allen called The Whore of Mensa'.

LT suggests that women seek two things: an aggressive sexual partner and an intellectually stimulating or entertaining partner. It concludes that if the same qualities cannot be found in one single man, a woman will seek out two (or more) separate men to fulfill all of her needs. The nice guy fits only fits one of these categories.

Ladder Theory concludes that men should not be so quick to be "nice" to women, as they are setting themselves up to be used, and they will not gain sexual attraction that way. In fact, being overly "nice" to a woman is a form of manipulation that is used by men who lack the confidence to flirt and approach women to make their sexual attraction clear. Instead, a man must be honest with any woman that he is attracted to -- and make his intentions known.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

  • The Ladder Theory - Original English version.
  • LadderWiki - Wiki format of the Ladder Theory and several subsequently related observations. It is in partnership with intellectualwhores.com, the original source.
  • Ladder Theory Forum- Discussion Forum for Ladder Theory.
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