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Personality and Social Contexts

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Mate selection

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Full-Text Articles in Social Psychology

Violation Of Short-Term Mate Preferences, Jose C. Yong, Norman P. Li Dec 2016

Violation Of Short-Term Mate Preferences, Jose C. Yong, Norman P. Li

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Violations of short-term mate preferences refer to instances in which a person in a short-term, casual sexual relationship has mate preferences that were in place when the relationship commenced but subsequently are not being met.


Sex Similarities Versus Gender Symmetry, Jose C. Yong, Norman P. Li Sep 2016

Sex Similarities Versus Gender Symmetry, Jose C. Yong, Norman P. Li

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Men and women have similar and different mate preferences, which include preferences for type of relationship duration as well as the types of traits that are sought out within each mating duration. This entry covers some of the key similarities and differences in preferences for both mating context and partner traits within context.


The Validity Of Sex-Differentiated Mate Preferences: Reconciling The Seemingly Conflicting Evidence, Norman P. Li, Andrea L. Meltzer Apr 2015

The Validity Of Sex-Differentiated Mate Preferences: Reconciling The Seemingly Conflicting Evidence, Norman P. Li, Andrea L. Meltzer

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Across decades and cultures, researchers have found that men prefer physical attractiveness in their romantic partners more than women do, whereas women prefer social status and resources in their partners more than men do. From an evolutionary perspective, these sex differences are important as they reflect hypothesized psychological mechanisms that evolved in response to different adaptive challenges faced by ancestral men and women. Social psychologists, however, have recently challenged the validity of mate preferences and thus, this evolutionary perspective. Indeed, recent speed-dating studies (e.g., Eastwick and Finkel, 2008) and a meta-analysis (Eastwick, Luchies, Finkel, and Hunt, 2014) demonstrate that the …


Predicting Romantic Interest And Decisions In The Very Early Stages Of Mate Selection: Standards, Accuracy, And Sex Differences, Garth J. O. Fletcher, Patrick S. G. Kerr, Norman P. Li, Katherine A. Valentine Apr 2014

Predicting Romantic Interest And Decisions In The Very Early Stages Of Mate Selection: Standards, Accuracy, And Sex Differences, Garth J. O. Fletcher, Patrick S. G. Kerr, Norman P. Li, Katherine A. Valentine

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

In the current study, opposite-sex strangers had 10-min conversations with a possible further date in mind. Based on judgments from partners and observers, three main findings were produced. First, judgments of attractiveness/vitality perceptions (compared with warmth/trustworthiness and status/resources) were the most accurate and were predominant in influencing romantic interest and decisions about further contact. Second, women were more cautious and choosy than men—women underestimated their partner’s romantic interest, whereas men exaggerated it, and women were less likely to want further contact. Third, a mediational model found that women (compared with men) were less likely to want further contact because they …


Ovulation Leads Women To Perceive Sexy Cads As Good Dads, Kristina M. Durante, Vladas Griskevicius, Jeffry A. Simpson, Stephanie M. Canfu, Norman P. Li Aug 2012

Ovulation Leads Women To Perceive Sexy Cads As Good Dads, Kristina M. Durante, Vladas Griskevicius, Jeffry A. Simpson, Stephanie M. Canfu, Norman P. Li

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Why do some women pursue relationships with men who are attractive, dominant, and charming but who do not want to be in relationships—the prototypical sexy cad? Previous research shows that women have an increased desire for such men when they are ovulating, but it is unclear why ovulating women would think it is wise to pursue men who may be unfaithful and could desert them. Using both college-age and community-based samples, in 3 studies we show that ovulating women perceive charismatic and physically attractive men, but not reliable and nice men, as more committed partners and more devoted future fathers. …


Sex Similarities And Differences In Preferences For Short-Term Mates: What, Whether, And Why, Norman P. Li, Douglas T. Kenrick Mar 2006

Sex Similarities And Differences In Preferences For Short-Term Mates: What, Whether, And Why, Norman P. Li, Douglas T. Kenrick

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Are there sex differences in criteria for sexual relationships? The answer depends on what question a researcher asks. Data suggest that, whereas the sexes differ in whether they will enter short-term sexual relationships, they are more similar in what they prioritize in partners for such relationships. However, additional data and context of other findings and theory suggest different underlying reasons. In Studies 1 and 2, men and women were given varying "mate budgets" to design short-term mates and were asked whether they would actually mate with constructed partners. Study 3 used a mate-screening paradigm. Whereas women have been found to …


The Necessities And Luxuries Of Mate Preferences: Testing The Tradeoffs, Norman P. Li, J. Michael Bailey, Douglas T. Kenrick, Joan A. W. Linsenmeier Jun 2002

The Necessities And Luxuries Of Mate Preferences: Testing The Tradeoffs, Norman P. Li, J. Michael Bailey, Douglas T. Kenrick, Joan A. W. Linsenmeier

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Social exchange and evolutionary models of mate selection incorporate economic assumptions but have not considered a key distinction between necessities and luxuries. This distinction can clarify an apparent paradox: Status and attractiveness, though emphasized by many researchers, are not typically rated highly by research participants. Three studies supported the hypothesis that women and men first ensure sufficient levels of necessities in potential mates before considering many other characteristics rated as more important in prior surveys. In Studies 1 and 2, participants designed ideal long-term mates, purchasing various characteristics with 3 different budgets. Study 3 used a mate-screening paradigm and showed …