Sex Differences in Mate Selection Preferences Summary by: Kathryn Hogan, Roxanne Majich, Alyssa Reichental Furnham, A. (2009). Sex differences in mate selection preferences. Personality and Individual Differences, 47,

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Aim of the study was to look at sex, personality and ideological predictors of mate choice Men are more likely to seek out attractiveness (health and sexiness) and offer resources (a.k.a. financial security) Women are more likely to seek out resources and status and offer attractiveness Hypothesis: First, females would place a higher emphasis on education, social skills, emotional intelligence and conscientiousness. Second, there would be a “birds of a feather”/assortative mating effect - people would seek out those with personalities similar to themselves – Extraverts would seek out Extraverts and so on. Third, there would be a strong ideological compatibility effect – those of stronger beliefs and commitments to religious/political causes would be a huge factor in their preference. INTRODUCTION

Participants – 250 participants: 110 male, 140 female Between the ages of 18 and 41; mean age of years Unmarried Heterosexual Questionnaire – Participants completed either on-line or on paper two page questionnaire. First part of the test asked participants to write five characteristics they believed best described themselves and then rank the five they want in a long-term romantic partner. The test then asked participants to rate the characteristics on a scale of 0 – Not desirable to 11 – Extremely desirable. – Personality was assessed by a measure of the Big Five questionnaire devised by McManus. Procedure – Ten research assistants contacted 25 friends via asking to participate in completing a questionnaire METHOD

Results Trait Preferences for Mates Male overall %Female overall % Intelligence Humor Loving Well-mannered Loyal Considerate Attractiveness Compatibility013.6 Religious-rated014.3 Dependable020.7 Extroversion010.7 Wealth/job/future029.3 The graphic is adapted from A. Furnham (2009)

RESULTS cont. Predictors for mate preferences – Personality – Physical appearance (Height, weight, etc.) – Values (religious and political compatibility) **All hypotheses were confirmed**

Discussion Hypotheses were broadly supported This study was unique in using religious and political compatibility as predictors for mate preference.

CRITICAL REVIEW 1.Socioeconomic status was not accounted for amongst any participants. 2.Experimenters used their friends as participants. 3.Data was survey based and nonexperimental, hence, weakening the results. OBJECTIONS INTERESTING POINTS 1.In the study, abilities and personality were more highly rated than physical factors and looks 2.Short people like short people & tall people like tall people 3.Stereotypes in movies are supported by scientific evidence: men want pretty young women and women want the perfect man.

TEST QUESTIONS Political compatibility is a better predictor than religious compatibility (T/F) Males prefer attractive females (T/F) Females prefer a caring, funny, loyal mate (T/F) Personality preferences show that (a) Opposites attract (b) Birds of a feather flock together (c) Females prefer an opposite personality but males prefer a like-partner Socioeconomic status was a strong predictor for (a)Female preference for rich males (b)Male preference for poor females (c)None of the above, SES was not accounted for Participants filled out the (a)Big 5 Personality Test (b)Big 6 Personality Test (c)Meyers-Brigg Personality Test