More not Always Merrier when Selecting MatesScientists have
discovered that the context in which humans meet potential mates
has a hidden influence on who they decide to pursue.  Some
dating arrangements, such as speed dating, aggregate singles to
allow a wide exposure to prospective partners.  In this
environment, researchers found that people respond by paying
attention to different types of characteristics – discarding
attributes such as education, smoking status, and occupation in
favor of physical characteristics such as height and weight.  A
number of studies in recent years have looked at what happens to
humans when faced with extensive choice – too many kinds of
chocolate, or too many detergents to choose from at the grocery
store.  Under such circumstances, consumer psychologists believe
that the brain may become “overwhelmed,” potentially leading to
poorer quality choice or choice deferral.   “Is having too many
mate options really like having too many jams?” they ask.   To
find out how people respo