1. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers The Ideal Romantic Partner This activity is a classroom survey that measures characteristics of students’ ideal romantic partner. Acknowledgements: This activity was written by Thomas E. Ludwig, Hope College, with contributions by Ann Merriwether, State University of New York at Binghamton

2. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers The Ideal Romantic Partner Mate selection is one of the most fascinating aspects of human behavior. Both men and women spend a great deal of time and energy advertising themselves as potential mates and evaluating the desirability of other people as mates.

3. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers Question 1: HEIGHT My ideal romantic partner would be: A. considerably taller than I am. B. a little taller than I am. C. exactly my height. D. a little shorter than I am. E. any height; height isn’t an issue for me.

4. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers A. considerably younger than I am. B. a little younger than I am. C. exactly my age. D. a little older than I am. E. any age; age isn’t an issue for me. Question 2: AGE My ideal romantic partner would be:

5. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers A. considerably underweight. B. a little underweight. C. average weight. D. a little overweight. E. considerably overweight. Question 3: WEIGHT My ideal romantic partner would be:

6. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers A. Completely committed and faithful for life. B. Willing to commit for a period of time. C. Happy if both of us continued to “play the field.” D. Either committed to me or not; commitment isn’t an issue for me. Question 4: COMMITMENT My ideal romantic partner would be:

7. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers A Typical Pattern of Results Typical Female Prefers Taller mate Older mate Average weight Mate willing to commit Ambitious, high status mate Financially secure mate Healthy mate Attractive mate Strong integrity Issue Height Age Weight Commitment Ambition Finances Health Attractiveness Ethics Typical Male Prefers Shorter mate Younger mate Average weight Committed for now Not an issue Healthy mate Very attractive mate Flexible ethics

8. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers Preferences Across Cultures European- American 1.Trust 2.Friendship 3.Love 4.Honesty 1.Trust 2.Friendship 3.Love 4.Honesty Men Women African- American Honesty Patience Trust Understanding Communi- cation Love Honesty Trust Jamaican Love Trust Caring Communi- cation Truth Love Honesty Respect Japanese Beauty Cooking Ability Kindness Youth Love Wealth Fun Honesty

9. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers Consider This… Evolutionary psychologists believe that there are cultural universals in mate selection today and these universals are the product of millions of years of history. Consider your responses to the Ideal Romantic Partner Survey, along with the typical results presented. What do you think are some of these universal attitudes and behaviors?