Here's Why the Jerks Get the Girls

He's over-confident. He dresses well. He has repeatedly gotten the girl -- and will tell you about the ones he remembers. You can't help but shake your head as you watch another smart, attractive woman fall for him.

Psychologists and evolutionary biologists say there may be good reasons why certain jerky behaviours appeal to women. Vinita Mehta, Ph.D., a Washington, D.C.-based clinical psychologist, says, “All these [traits] signal to women that a man has confidence, good genes, and access to resources—things that from an evolutionary standpoint would have been appealing or offered security.”

Gregory Carter, Ph.D., a psychologist at the University of Durham in the U.K, says the Dark Triad --narcissists, psychopaths, and Machiavelli types-- can appeal to a woman's sense of being sought after because they are also competitive men. A woman will feel pursued and chosen.

But doesn't she see what's coming? And how does a good guy compete?

Remember that a little goes a long way. Talk to women about you're confident in. If you've recently run a marathon or written a song, tell her! It isn't the bragging and flashing that makes her interested, it's the confidence.

It isn't all about the strutting peacock. Women aren't nearly that simple. Humor and creativity also signal to women that you have good genes, Mehta says. Being able to put her at ease can significantly increase the time you get to know each other, and gives her more time to discover other factors that make you seem like a good mate.

Have you fallen for the bad boy too often? Have you lost out to a bad boy in relationships? Honestly, what appeals to you more, humour or swagger?