Is there a genetic or evolutionary explanation as to why females like "pretty" things?

Is there a direct reason why women like flowers and and other pretty trinkets? Or is it because receiving such trinkets is a representation of a male's spending power and therefore "success" as an individual? Has there been any research on this? I know that the question is a broad generalization, I hope you understand what I'm really asking though.

Is there a genetic or evolutionary explanation as to why females like "pretty" things?
I think your argument might be the closest to an explanation. I'm reminded of those jays that collect shiny objects to decorate their nests with. The objects are designed to attract attention from possible mates and since they don't add any intrinsic "value" to the actual nest in terms of warmth or structure, what is their purpose? Like many mating displays (a peacock's tail, for example) the gems and shiny objects that the male bird collects represents its fundamental reserves of energy, precisely *because* the objects themselves don't serve a survival function. The bird had the extra energy - above and beyond simply building the nest - to spend time collecting the objects... thereby demonstrating its genetic fitness and prowess as a collector and provider. The female bird has also evolved to recognize and respond to these displays. You could argue that a similar thing has evolved in people. The extra reserve of funds necessary to buy a diamond ring, for example, being the equivalent kind of value display.
Reply:I can't believe you picked that answer over "boobies"! Report It

Reply:No...Otherwise, how would you explain the guys that like pretty things.
Reply:It's a good question and I know thier are woman who thrive to recieve such trinkets as a way to show society that they are successful in thier personal lives - by catching a good producing male, but I wonder if you are asking if women are naturally hard-wired or socially taught to appreciate "pretty things".





I don't really know, and I suspect it is some of both. I do believe that a woman who admires beauty, is herself beautiful
Reply:exactly what airplanegirl said'


she knows what she is talking about





smile


good luck
Reply:boobies
Reply:You know, I have been going around this question for awhile now and I keep coming to the story I heard once and I can't remember where I heard it. I know it was in some book and I am going to paraphrase so forgive me if I don't quote it right. I was looking for a supporting link but couldn't find it.





Ah, never mind I found a site that has it listed as a joke. Not where I read it first but this will do.





""Hi, God. Say, thanks a lot for the woman you made for me, even though I still got that pain in my side," Adam said.





"Don't mention it," God replied.





"By the way, I like how you made her so soft and warm," Adam said.





"That was so you would love her," God answered.





"And her hair is soft and silky," said Adam.





"That was so you would love her," God answered.





"And she is so mall, and I feel big and strong beside her," said Adam.





"That was so you would love her," God answered.





"Hmmmm, nice... and she is so pretty and has a soothing voice."





"That was so you would love her," God answered.





"Yes, I do love her. But God, why did You make her so dumb?"





"That was so she would love you.""





So what is my point you may be asking?





Well it would seem that man has this need for beauty as well and woman are that beauty. We encompass what is pretty and we collect pretty things. So to win her over or "woo" her, man will attempt to give her things that she thinks are pretty.





I guess to get to the meat of your question tho, one should ask what is pretty?





According to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary:





Main Entry: 1pret•ty


Pronunciation: 'pri-tE, 'p%26amp;r- also 'pru-


Function: adjective


Inflected Form(s): pret•ti•er; -est


Etymology: Middle English praty, prety, from Old English prættig tricky, from prætt trick; akin to Old Norse prettr trick


1 a : ARTFUL, CLEVER b : PAT, APT


2 a : pleasing by delicacy or grace b : having conventionally accepted elements of beauty c : appearing or sounding pleasant or nice but lacking strength, force, manliness, purpose, or intensity %26lt;pretty words that make no sense -- Elizabeth B. Browning%26gt;


3 a : MISERABLE, TERRIBLE %26lt;a pretty mess you've gotten us into%26gt; b chiefly Scottish : STOUT


4 : moderately large : CONSIDERABLE %26lt;a very pretty profit%26gt; %26lt;cost a pretty penny%26gt;


5 : easy to enjoy : PLEASANT -- usually used in negative constructions %26lt;reality is not so pretty -- Caleb Solomon%26gt;


synonym see BEAUTIFUL


- pret•ti•ly /-t%26amp;-lE/ adverb


- pret•ty•ish /-tE-ish/ adjective





One thing that stands out is that if we (woman) are pretty then it would only seem natural that we would seek out other pretty things.





I like #2 and specifically lacking "manliness". So it would seem that something is pretty if it has nothing to do with a man. So men then feel that since they can't be pretty they are giving of themselves - in a way - when they give something "pretty" to someone pretty or to the person that they think is pretty with hopes that he will get laid.





Hope that helps. :)
Reply:My best guess is that that was how they were brought up. Girls were always taught to glorify gold and silver and basically all material things while guys (like us) were taught to just have fun. IT's all about upbringing
Reply:I think everyone is unique and maybe thats why guys differ from girls(except for some).I guess girls were brought up that way to like nice things....Its hard to answer your question when you actually dont have the answer....!
Reply:If you read most psychology books will explain that women seek resources in their mate and men look for how much they can multiply. Look into this to find your answer.
Reply:I must have evolved from a cat, I like shiny things.


Hey look! A quarter!
Reply:Good question. The "spending power" bit may have something to do with it, but pre-money. In a hunter / gatherer society, anyone who has time to spend on "non-productive" work is more sucessful than one who doesn't.
Reply:There is a theory (untestable, of course) that in ancient man, women were the gatherers and men were the hunters. If this were so, the ability to separate out the good berries from the bad ones (for example)would require a skillset similar to appreciation for fine flowers and foods and the ability to pick out fine details, like sparkley things.

What are some of the best hotels