Money Can’t Buy You Love

Is being a millionaire something that’s appealing to you? What about marrying one? The amount of money that we perceive ourselves as having has a direct psychological impact on what we look for, and want, in a partner.

Studying money and love

Mary Gresham, a psychologist from Atlanta, suggests that in cultures where a high value is placed on having more money, this will be an important consideration when looking for a partner. However, she notes, that this occurs more due to cultural beliefs rather than personal ones.

In a study done in China, they looked at the impact that money and wealth have on how people perceive the attractiveness of their partners. Men and women were all made to feel like they either had more money or less money. Interestingly, for men, if they were primed to have more money, then they were less satisfied with their partner’s physical appearance.

When men were made to think they had less or the same amount of money, then there was no change in partner attraction. However, this didn’t seem to be the case for women – they didn’t appear to be influenced by the amount of money as attraction levels were the same regardless of whether they were primed with more money or less money.

What these studies tell us

So, what does this mean? Evolutionary aspects of relationships are still very much present, and these include seeking out traits in a partner that make them more likely to survive and have increasing opportunities for reproduction.

Taking this into account, money does appear to be able to do this as it allows for more resources. So, if you have more money could you use it to attract a more physically attractive partner? Are individuals up for grabs who may be extremely beautiful or handsome but who haven’t been given the same opportunities as you?

Is love linked to material possessions?

Are we more drawn to partners who live in gorgeous, large houses in affluent neighborhoods and who can buy several nice cars? While the obvious answer may be yes, is this really the case?

There are lots of individual differences surrounding this but overall, we want to be with someone who’s in a similar socio-economic bracket to ourselves, and we rarely want to downgrade.

How does this impact our search for love?

Could these views be preventing you from meeting someone truly compatible? Although individuals who have increased access to material possessions may increase their attractiveness based on security and comfort if you take away the material possessions who are they really – beneath their money? What are their values, who are they at heart?

Wealthy or not, human drive and instinct remain; we want to love and be loved in return. Money can be positive in a relationship, as it can increase options and a sense of security, but it can also hide who someone really is. Sure, wealth can be attractive but sometimes the personality underneath can be even more attractive. Material possessions and money can fluctuate, but love is deeper than that.

Beyond surface-level compatibility

Here at Maclynn International, we work with anyone to find them a compatible long-term life partner and although you’d be investing in finding love- you wouldn’t be buying it.

Our dedicated matchmakers would actively search on their client’s behalf and introduce them to individuals with similar values, lifestyles, and relationship aspirations, regardless of the amount of money in their bank accounts.