The ladder theory is an explanation by a writer on an internet website of the ways in which men and women evaluate potential sexual partners and friends of the opposite sex. Though it has generated some interest in some online communities, it has not been evaluated by any studies, journals, or social psychologists.

The ladder theory explains differences in how men and women evaluate potential opposite-gender sexual partners and friends. The theory provides an explanation for 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, men and women put people of the opposite sex into either sexual or nonsexual schemas, or 'ladders'. However, women tend to put men on the nonsexual ladder, but men tend to put women on the sexual ladder. People are generally unwilling to recategorize, especially women.

In men, physical attractiveness is the main factor in sexual attraction. In women, money and power are the main factors in sexual attraction. 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.

This theory conflicts with some findings of social psychology. For example, 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.

External link

• Ladder Theory Master Page http://www.intellectualwhores.com/masterladder.html
• More User Friendly Ladder Theory Page http://www.laddertheory.com/
• French translation Rencontrer femmes avec Theorie de l'Echelle http://www.rehred-haiti.net/membres/papda/sites_externes/non_papda/IW/
• Dutch translation Daten met Ladder Theorie http://www.rehred-haiti.net/membres/papda/sites_externes/non_papda/IW/indexNL.ht
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