Study: Single Women Prefer Men Who Are Taken

Single women prefer men already in committed relationships and are the more likely gender to "mate-poach," according to a study by two Oklahoma State University researchers.

Social psychology professor Melissa Burkley and graduate student Jessica Parker surveyed 184 male and female students on campus in an effort to determine which gender is more likely to lure a mate from another person.

Each student was shown a photo of the opposite sex. Some were told the person was single, others were told the person was already in a romantic relationship. The researchers found single women were much more likely to pursue someone already taken.

"It seems that all is fair in love and war," Burkley said.

She said the attraction may be because attached men have demonstrated an ability to commit and are perceived as "pre-screened" by other women. Also, the challenge of "winning" the man may be a self-esteem boost.

Men did not show this preference, and neither did women who were already in a relationship.

The study is published in the current issue of the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.

The study did not show whether the women would actually follow through with the poaching, and that may be explored in further studies.

"It shows a willingness to pursue," Parker said.

Oklahoma City resident Brittany Prince, 20, says she understands the appeal but wouldn't pursue a married man.

"I think it is all about wanting something you can't have," she said.

"When they flirt, it sends a signal of maybe, just maybe, you are better for them although you know in your mind that they are married and will probably remain married. Something about a married man who wants to play around is very attractive."