Theory Ladder Theory of M-F Interactions

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

Let's see if we can have a mature discussion about male-female interaction in hopes of gaining a clearer, if not better, insight on how these interactions work. One hotly-debated theory (at least within my circle of friends) is called the "Ladder Theory"

This is the site for it if you want to read it on your own. I've summarized it below to the best of my ability from memory. If anyone is knowledgeable in this theory and wants to explain it better, please don't hesitate to do so.

http://laddertheory.com"]www.laddertheory.com[/url]

Basically, men and women have their own ladders of how they rate the opposite sex. Men just have one ladder and they rank women based on how much they want to have sex with them down to just being friends. A woman's rank on a man's ladder can move in any direction at any time.

Women have 2 ladders, one for how much they desire to have sex with a guy and one for just being friends with a guy. When a woman meets a man for the first couple times, the man is ranked on the sex ladder first. At any time, the guy can be moved over to the friends-only ladder and CANNOT be returned back to the sex ladder ever (or in VERY rare cases). Once on the friends-only ladder, then a guy can be moved up or down based on the strength of the friendship.

That's the basic gist of it.

Oh and there's something about number ratings that are tied into that too (like "woah, she's hot, she's definitely a 10"). Guys' threshold for the sex-friend cutoff is lower than women's, like for example a 4.8 for guys -> women compared to 7.9 women -> men


IMO, I don't necessarily agree with it or advocate it, but I can understand where it's coming from. I'm interested to read what you think even if you have/have not heard of this before.

Edited December 7, 2012 by Doctor XFizzle

[Finesthour 7,287]

Meh, I don't agree on it.

 

I really don't think I want to have sex with anyone, seeing how I don't love anyone like that :/

[Colon Leftbracket 971]

At any time, the guy can be moved over to the friends-only ladder AND cannot be returned back to the sex ladder ever (or in VERY rare cases). Once on the friends-only ladder, then a guy can be moved up or down based on the strength of the friendship.

 

Friend Zoned!

 

haha I sorta agree with this, but only in VERY typical circumstances. There are FAR too many variables to just pair M-F interactions into a silly theory!

 

Also it is a bit sexist to say guys only have a sex ladder! I disagree entirely!

I've said before that my mind tends to function more similar to that of a woman. If I were to adjust my situation to these "Ladders" then I'd have a similar system to the women's ladder.

 

Except mine usually works in reverse. I first put people in my friendship ladder and then move them to my sex ladder. People tend not to return to the friendship ladder though.

 

So I suppose if there's Friend Zone Fiona, then would I be Sex Zone Colton? O_o

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

Also it is a bit sexist to say guys only have a sex ladder! I disagree entirely!

 

The guy's ladder isn't just sex. It's two-ended with friendship located at the bottom end. It's more of a sliding scale . The guys can adjust sexual desire and friendship together on the same ladder while women have two distinctly separate ladders.

Edited January 31, 2012 by Doctor XFizzle

[Colon Leftbracket 971]

The guy's ladder isn't just sex. It's two-ended with friendship located at the bottom end. It's more of a sliding scale . The guys can adjust sexual desire and friendship together on the same ladder while women have two distinctly separate ladders.

 

Alright I see.

I guess that makes much more sense. Though I still stand by my statement on a personal basis.

I can see how this system works on a typical basis, but I know I am certainly atypical!

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

At one point, my girl friends were super curious and practically demanded us (the guys in the group) to rank them. That made for an interesting discussion. Mind you my group of friends was 8 guys and 3 girls lol.

[Sandwhisper 33]

I also feel it kinda stereotypical (if that's the right word) that the ranking from women about men had a lot to do with money and saying they don't care for real qualities. I'm not bs-ing here when I say I don't care about money firsthand, I would rather have a guy with a kind heart and good personality than a jerk with big bucks. But that's my opinion.

However, a ladder does make sense.

[Lady Rarity Pony 4,892]

I found that funny...but stupid.

I disagree.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

I was thinking about this on the way home from school. It's been January since this came up and in the meantime we've gained a lot of new members with new perspectives. I'd like to re-open this discussion.

[Starshine 16,334]

So... According to this theory, friendzone is eternal, and men have lower standards than women? And a man can only befriend a woman as long as he finds the woman sexually unattractive?

 

This two ladders thing somehow implies that women will only choose pricks as their mate. What a weird theory.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

So... According to this theory, friendzone is eternal, and men have lower standards than women? And a man can only befriend a woman as long as he finds the woman sexually unattractive?

 

This two ladders thing somehow implies that women will only choose pricks as their mate. What a weird theory.

 

I read the two ladders as women evaluate men as sexual prospects upon first sight and first interaction then depending on how the next interactions go, slide the guy down the sex ladder until there comes a point of no return and he's moved over to the friend ladder. 

 

Whereas men just have the one ladder and women can move up or down it at any time for any reason. 

 

I guess in short, a guy's female friend can always be moved up the ladder (maybe change in status, appearance, interests) and thus be considered a sexual option while women have a drop-dead point where a male friend is no longer and never will be a sexual option.

Edited December 7, 2012 by Doctor XFizzle

[Descant 1,898]

This ladder theory makes sense. I approve.

 

So... According to this theory, friendzone is eternal, and men have lower standards than women? And a man can only befriend a woman as long as he finds the woman sexually unattractive?

 

This two ladders thing somehow implies that women will only choose pricks as their mate. What a weird theory.

 

 

This Youtube Video can sort of explain this concept of a one-sided friendzone, and is not entirely irrelevant.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

ladder theory explains friend-zone before the friend-zone was a thing

 

it's been over a year, let's see if new discussion can emerge

[Scootalove 10,689]

The ladder theory of male and female interactions is now something that we should follow!