basics of the ladder theory
The basic premise of Ladder Theory is that all men gauge women on an I-would-have-sex-with-this woman/how-likely-is-she-to-have-sex-with-me scale.
Women apparently have two ladders:
Potential sexual partners, and
Platonic partners - those she would never have sex with.
Given that women are arguably a lot more more complex than men, then that figures..
Classification and ranking (for both sexes) is described as a 'Ladder' hence the name Ladder Theory.
Allegedly, the higher up on someone's ladder you are the more likely you are to get laid.
The following (basic) table sets out how men and women apparently make their initial mental assessment of each other.

ladder theory male/female assessment factors
men % women %

HIM How attractive is she 60 % HER How much money/power does he have 50%

HIM How soon she will have sex with me 30% HER How attractive is he 40%

HER How much women say & dont mean 10%

HIM Other aspects 10%

* Attractive (40%) to women is broken down as follows:

50% - Physical Attraction

20% - Competition (is he someone else's, does he ignore me, I-want-what-I-can't-have, etc..)

20% - Novelty (women it appears lay some kudos on men being 'novel')

10% - Other (we can only guess..)