#MasculinitySoFragile: Here's Why Men Are Intimidated By Smart Women

Let's start with the good news: Men are more like George Clooney than we think.

Okay, so they're not all silver foxes cashing in major millions for blockbusters, but men actually are attracted to the Amal Clooneys of the world. At least for long-term relationships.

In fact, men prefer smart women over busty bosoms or phat asses.

However, according to a study published in the November edition of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, men are only attracted to intelligent women in theory. When faced with women who best them in smarts, they cower in intimidation.

Researchers at the University of Buffalo, California Lutheran University, and the University of Texas at Austin rounded up 105 men to perform two scenarios. In the first scenario, a woman either outperformed or underperformed each of the of the men in a math or English course. Then, the men were asked to imagine this woman as a romantic partner.

At first, most of the men showed more interest in the woman who bested them.

In the second scenario, however, the men were told they would meet the women who had either scored better or worse than they had on an intelligence test. True to form, the men who met the more intelligent woman seemed to show less interest romantically.

An article in NTRSCTN noted the study claimed,

[The men] distanced themselves more from her, tended to rate her as less attractive, and showed less desire to exchange contact information or plan a date with her.

Cue collective eye roll.

Who cares, though. Only weak men are intimidated by well-rounded, educated gals. No study needed.

It takes a special boy to feel secure around a wise woman. So until guys smarten up and quiet their egos, here are all the reasons men are intimidated by bright b*tches.

We've read too many books.

Men dodge brilliant women with the agility of Cam Newton. The insurmountable prevalence of the "Cool Girl" has seemed to prove men like their women a little dumb.

If you can mentally run circles around men, instead of simply running to get more beer, consider yourself dating enemy number one.

We were born too beautiful.

Sorry, Priyanka Chopra, the mere aesthetic of your face humbles the male ego.

According to a study published in the British Journal of Psychology, men may actually prefer less attractive, feminine women, since attractive women are more likely to cheat.

Yep, you read that right. Men reject women who are insanely pretty, in fear of infidelity.

Don't even bother sharing that flawless no-makeup selfie if you want a man.

We're HBICs.

Far too many ring-less women occupy corner offices.

Research published in a 2013 issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found evidence that men automatically interpret a woman's success as their own failure.

With big brains come big bucks, which leads men to feel emasculated.

The median income of single women between the ages of 22 and 30 is now greater than the income of single men in that same age group in most cities throughout the country, according to a 2012 study by Reach Advisors. Sorry, not sorry.

We're too outspoken and confident outside the bedroom.

Typically, men only like aggression while we're screaming their name.

We've all experienced it. At first, he loves how you're a confident, self-reliant woman -- that is, until you become too vocal about the direction of the relationship or how your job is really exhausting.

No matter how women assert themselves, be it buying their own drinks or making dinner plans, men take off in the other direction.

We say "f*ck" too much.

You don't have to cuss like Courtney Love for men to dislike your liberal use of profanity. Men still search for prim, proper Suzie Homemaker types, no matter how progressive we are as a society.

Simple solution? If he disagrees with your colorful vocabulary, f*ck him.

Our jokes are too funny.

Haven't you heard? You're supposed to be laughing at his jokes, not telling them.

When you find the real-life Aaron Conners to your Amy Schumer, you'll be the one who has the last laugh.

Basically, we should throw our identities to the wind and just become a palatable dosage of these qualities. Once you're completely devoid of all personality, then you're truly ready to find a man!

Warning: He won't be George Clooney.