Ladder theory

The ladder theory is a pop psychology explanation by writer Dallas Lynn of the ways in which men and women evaluate potential sexual partners and platonic friends of the opposite sex. The "theory" was popularized through an Internet website. Though it has generated some interest in online communities, it has not been seriously evaluated by any studies, journals, or social psychologists.

The ladder theory actually began as satire (and still retains some of its humorous nature). It has evolved into an actual theory that adherents believe to be a general approximation between interaction of men and women. Although presented as a general theory, the practical effect is chiefly intended for young, single men who feel afflicted by nice guy syndrome and trapped in the friend zone. These men are advised to re-evaluate their focus on women who see them only as friends.

Overview

The ladder theory explains differences in how men and women evaluate potential opposite-gender sexual partners and friends, in particular why men will readily have sex with an attractive female friend much more often than a woman will have sex with an attractive male friend.

According to the theory, heterosexuals put people of the opposite sex into either sexual or nonsexual schemas, or 'ladders'. While men view all women as potential sexual partners, women tend to split men into the sexual or non-sexual schemas and are seen as generally unwilling to recategorize.

For men, physical attractiveness is the main factor in sexual attraction. For women, physical attractiveness, emotional stability and sensitivity, and intelligence are sometimes factors in sexual attraction, but money and power are still the most important factors. Men and women are only willing to have sex with those on their sexual ladder. On the sexual ladder, the more sexually attractive the person is, the more likely sex is.

Men have one ladder - the sexual ladder. This does not imply that men want to have sex with every woman on earth, no more than women having two ladders implies that they want to either be friends or have sex with everyone on earth. However this does imply that there are no women that men want to be friends with whom he wouldn't consider having sex with. A man can be friends with a women who is low on his ladder but she is still on it. This directly correlates to a male's natural urges to spread his genes to as many eligible recipients as possible. (Although anecdotal evidence suggests that men enjoy "friends with benefits" on a scale similar to a woman's 'friends' ladder).

Women have two ladders - a sexual ladder, and a 'friends' ladder. The friends ladder is where males who do not make the grade are put - they are more than likely never going to perform a 'ladder jump' and get on the sexual ladder, but will always be given only the friends treatment by the woman. The sexual ladder, of course, is indicative of a woman's more selective sexual behavior and her quest to find a single partner to father her progeny, which also directly correlates to the way females choose to spread their genes.

There is also an area known as the 'abyss'. This is the area where members of the opposite sex go that are determined to be completely unworthy of copulation or friendship.

It should be noted that ladder theory is intended to apply only to the actual act of sexual intercourse, and not to the establishment of a relationship. That comprises the largest problem with ladder theory's applicability.

Terminology

  • An intellectual whore is a man stuck at the top of a woman's non-sexual ladder; rather than connoting political abuse of scholarship, it connotes the use of platonic, intellectual companionship as payment in lieu of sex.
  • An intellectual pimp is a woman for whom a man is her intellectual whore.
  • A ninja bitch is an intellectual pimp who realizes that her intellectual whores are attracted to her sexually, and intentionally uses that attraction to manipulate these men.
  • A cuddle bitch is a guy who never gets to sleep with a girl but gets to have intimate moments with her like cuddling, spooning, or otherwise being affectionate. Usually this will occur in private. She probably considers him a really sweet guy, which is the kiss of death.
  • Friends with benefits are two persons who have a sexual relationship without monogamy, commitment or emotional involvement. For example two good friends who have casual sex between more serious relationships.

Criticism

This theory, just as many others, shed light into the paradox of many findings that are reflected in many theories involving social psychology. For example, studies have shown that men and women are actually equally influenced by physical attraction; men just have a stronger attitude about it that is not reflected in their behavior. In addition, the theory could be applied to females that need insight on how to successfully win the heart of a very attractive male. It explains popular stereotypes of male and female behavior in terms of a metaphor which assumes the truth of the original stereotypes. However circular or contrary to psychology the theory may be, it still holds ground in pop-culture, and does provide a reason for the attitudes and stereotypes in gender relations.

See also

External links

The Theory

Other

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