The sour economy is hurting Americans in many ways, but is it hindering the ability of single guys across the nation to get a date?

After all, TV and the tabloids are stuffed with images of good-looking women latching onto the rich guy with the expensive car, right?

“Unless he’s also cute, smart and funny, a car alone won’t do it for most women,” argues Pamela C. Regan, author of 'The Mating Game: A Primer on Love, Sex, and Marriage' and psychology professor at California State University, Los Angeles.

Survey: Should Money Be A Factor When Considering A Date?

Regan agrees that on the surface, women appear to be going for the gold, but it’s far more complex than that.

She believes that most woman look for the same things in a man: emotional stability, intelligence, honesty, trustworthiness, expressiveness, friendliness, attentiveness and openness.

“Lower down on the list, bust still moderately important, is good looks,” she said. “This same pattern has been demonstrated in literally hundreds of studies around the world.”

And that’s where money, status, and power come into the picture.

"A man who has status usually also has ambition, intelligence, and good social skills,” she explained. “To become financially and socially successful, you need these other attributes.”

Point being, women aren’t drawn to a wealthy guy because of his money alone, they are attracted to the total package of qualities that make up the man. The same things that can make a man successful in the financial and social worlds also help fuel his success with women.

The antithesis to this argument, of course, is the “Hugh Heffner" model, where the gorgeous young woman marries the geriatric millionaire.

Regan countered that these scenarios are actually very rare and overplayed in the media.

“When it does happen … it’s usually a clear case of trading. You see the younger partner offering youth and physical appeal and the older partner financial stability, which may be one way up the social ladder for the younger partner.”

So fellas, relax. There’s no reason to be insecure about the size of your paycheck.

“Money is down on the list, really,” Regan advised. “Mostly, it’s personality, personality, personality.”