“There’s a wide variety of evidence that does suggest that females are more influenced by wealth and status. It’s not a recent phenomenon. It is very ingrained and the evidence is not just anecdotal. Females focus on questions of wealth and status because if the male possesses those, that male would be in a better condition to rear healthy offspring,” explained Dr Michael Dunn, of the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff.

As surprising as it may seem, Dr Dunn believes that this trend will also maintain in the future irrespective of the fact that women become wealthier and more independent.

Nevertheless, the study also revealed a totally different thing that happens with men judging a women. The research showed that men were not at all impressed by the car a woman drives rather by her looks.

“However, even with the growing number of women in high-paid careers and the fact that they can be highly successful has no effect on how attractive they are to men,” Dr Dunn added.

Feeling encouraged by the results of the research, Dr Dunn intends to continue it in another direction, trying to examine if high-status items like expensive cars can make older men more attractive to women.