Study: Gold Digging Isn’t Just for Women

We’ve all heard the stereotype: the ‘gold digger,’ usually depicted as a woman solely interested in a partner’s wealth. But what if that stereotype is too narrow? A fascinating new study from the Behavioral and Social Sciences Institute suggests that gold-digging behavior isn’t exclusive to women—men exhibit these tendencies too.

Challenging the Stereotype

Researchers referenced the iconic 2005 hit song “Gold Digger” by Kanye West and Jamie Foxx, noting how its lyrics capture the public’s perception: exploiting money, avoiding poor partners, and being female. However, the study’s authors explicitly state, “Gold digging, often stereotyped as female behavior, is in fact not limited to women.”

The study, led by psychologist Lennart Freyth, surveyed 351 adults around age 30, encompassing various sexual orientations. Participants were asked to choose between partners based on material benefits versus emotional intimacy, using a questionnaire that also measured personality traits like narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism, alongside demographic factors.

Who Are the ‘Gold Diggers’?

The findings revealed some intriguing patterns. Men with left-leaning political views showed the highest rates of this behavior, described as a “partly psychopathy-linked social tactic.” Across both sexes, gold digging was linked to narcissism, psychopathy, expectations of date investment, and perceived mate value. Interestingly, ‘sadism’ was only found among female gold diggers in this study.

The study also highlighted that non-heterosexual men (gay or bisexual) with left-leaning views scored highest on gold-digging tendencies. Among women, non-heterosexual participants with mid-left views scored higher than heterosexual women, while right-leaning non-heterosexual women scored lower. Overall, non-heterosexual individuals and those with left-wing political views tended to score higher than their heterosexual and right-wing counterparts.

The ‘Reckless’ Narcissist

Researchers noted that both male and female gold diggers often exhibit traits of “reckless” narcissists. These individuals may use charm and appearance to attract wealthy partners. Freyth advises potential targets to be wary of “performative” men—those who present as overly sensitive or progressive but are primarily motivated by financial gain.

He explains that appearing agreeable and compassionate can make someone seem less threatening than someone who challenges the status quo. “Keep in mind that even a guy who appears thoughtful and compassionate might have interests beyond your character,” Freyth cautioned, reminding us that surface-level impressions can be deceiving.

• New study suggests gold-digging behavior is not exclusive to women.
• Men, particularly those with left-leaning political views, show high rates.
• Non-heterosexual men and women scored higher on gold-digging tendencies.
• Behavior linked to narcissism, psychopathy, and perceived mate value.
• Gold diggers often exhibit ‘reckless’ narcissistic traits.
• Researchers warn of ‘performative’ individuals who mask financial motives with charm.