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Related Experiment Videos

Some evidence about character and mate selection.

Karlene Hanko1, Sarah Master, John Sabini

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA.

Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|May 25, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Mate desirability is influenced by perceived resource acquisition, not just fidelity. Both men and women found individuals who built businesses more attractive than those who profited from luck or infidelity.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Behavioral Economics

Background:

  • Mate desirability is a key factor in reproductive success.
  • Past research suggests fidelity and resource provision influence attractiveness.
  • The role of entrepreneurial success versus luck in mate selection is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how different pathways to wealth (entrepreneurship vs. luck) and past infidelity affect perceived mate desirability.
  • To examine sex differences in responses to these factors.

Main Methods:

  • Four studies (N=292) involving undergraduates and nonstudent adults.
  • Participants rated hypothetical individuals on physical attractiveness, casual dating potential, and long-term dating potential.

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  • Target individuals varied in fidelity history (faithful, cheated-stayed, cheated-left) and wealth source (lottery, dot-com sale, cookie company sale, real estate profit).

    • Main Results:

    • Infidelity affected men and women equally, contrary to hypotheses.
    • Women, but not men, found a dot-com creator more physically attractive than a lottery winner.
    • Both sexes preferred a business founder (cookie company) over a lucky real estate investor.

    Conclusions:

    • Mate desirability is influenced by the perceived source of wealth, with entrepreneurial success being more attractive than pure luck or infidelity.
    • Women's attraction may be more sensitive to the perceived agency and skill involved in wealth acquisition.
    • Findings highlight the complex interplay of resources, perceived agency, and mating strategies.