It has long been noted that women love a man who can make them laugh - just look at 'sex thimble' Dudley Moore or serial dater David Walliams. And now scientists believe they know why. Being funny apparently makes men seem more intelligent, trustworthy - and a better bet for a relationship. Psychologist Kristofor McCarty said: 'A quick browse of lonely hearts ads will confirm that women look for a good sense of humour in a potential partner - our research may explain why this is the case.' Mr McCarty drew his conclusions after a study where he asked 45 women to rate the personalities behind a selection of 'lonely hearts' adverts. Some of these were funny, others were entirely factual. The men in the humorous adverts were rated as more intelligent - despite the descriptions containing no clues on IQ. They were also seen as more honest and better material for a relationship or a friendship, the British Psychological Society's annual conference heard.
Mr McCarty, of Northumbria University, said: 'There was a kind of halo effect. The funny guys appear to be getting everything. 'I think men play on this - I would if I was funny.
It is thought women equate wit with brains - perceiving funny men as good providers and good father material. Mr McCarty said: 'From an evolutionary point of view the reason a woman wants to look for a humorous guy is because it is a sign of intelligence and intelligence gives a man the ability to provide resources for their children and survive rather than falling down a trap and dying. 'And having a funny guy around the house rather than some drab businessman is much more fun.'
But Mr McCarty cautioned: 'Guys be warned: not just any gag will do. 'We discovered that humour must be genuinely funny for the man to be judged as more intelligent.'
Men, however, do not place so much value on a woman's wit. When a man says he would like a woman with a good sense of humour, he really means one that will laugh at his jokes, said Mr McCarty.
Mr McCarty, of Northumbria University, said: 'There was a kind of halo effect. The funny guys appear to be getting everything. 'I think men play on this - I would if I was funny.
It is thought women equate wit with brains - perceiving funny men as good providers and good father material. Mr McCarty said: 'From an evolutionary point of view the reason a woman wants to look for a humorous guy is because it is a sign of intelligence and intelligence gives a man the ability to provide resources for their children and survive rather than falling down a trap and dying. 'And having a funny guy around the house rather than some drab businessman is much more fun.'
But Mr McCarty cautioned: 'Guys be warned: not just any gag will do. 'We discovered that humour must be genuinely funny for the man to be judged as more intelligent.'
Men, however, do not place so much value on a woman's wit. When a man says he would like a woman with a good sense of humour, he really means one that will laugh at his jokes, said Mr McCarty.
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