Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that magnitudes of sex differences in human mate preferences would be inversely related to control of resources. Specifically, we predicted that the ideal partner age, maximum and minimum partner ages tolerated and preferences for "physical attractiveness" over "good financial prospects" of female participants would approach parity with that of men with increasing control of resources. In a sample of 3770 participants recruited via an online survey, the magnitudes of sex differences in age preferences increased with resource control whereas the sex difference in preferences for "physical attractiveness" over "good financial prospects" disappeared when resource control was high. Results are inconsistent, and are discussed in the context of adaptive tradeoff and biosocial models of sex differences in human mate preferences.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 720-735 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Journal of Evolutionary Psychology |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 4 |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |
Keywords
- Sex differences
- mate preferences
- control of resources
- status
- MALE FACIAL ATTRACTIVENESS
- PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS
- GENDER DIFFERENCES
- MENSTRUAL-CYCLE
- SELECTION PREFERENCES
- FEMALE PREFERENCES
- 37 CULTURES
- STRATEGIES
- BEHAVIOR
- AGE