Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026
09:34
Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila
Published on: August 22, 2013
Sex and generational differences in desired characteristics in mate selection
Jael Amador1, Tanya Charles, Jairus Tait
1Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI 49104-0030, USA.
Psychological Reports
|April 14, 2005
Summary
College students consistently value dependable character, emotional stability, and mutual attraction when choosing a mate. Gender differences persist, with men prioritizing looks and health, while women favor ambition and financial prospects.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Mate selection criteria have been studied across seven assessment periods from 1939-1996.
- Understanding evolving mate preferences provides insight into social and evolutionary dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the ranking of 18 personal characteristics for mate selection among college students.
- To analyze historical trends and gender-based differences in mate preference.
Main Methods:
- A survey assessed the ranking of 18 personal characteristics for mate selection.
- Data was compared across seven assessment periods, including a recent study.
Main Results:
- Dependable character, emotional stability, pleasing disposition, and mutual attraction are consistently valued by both sexes.
- Men consistently value good health, housekeeping skills, and physical attractiveness more than women.
- Women consistently value ambition, similar education, and financial prospects more than men.
- Chastity and similar religious background have gained value for both sexes, potentially due to sample artifacts.
Conclusions:
- Core mate selection criteria remain stable across decades, emphasizing character and emotional compatibility.
- Persistent gender-based differences in mate preferences align with ethological theories.
- Recent trends suggest a potential increase in the importance of chastity and religious background, warranting further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Mate Choice
Mate choice—the decision about whom to mate with—is a type of natural selection, since animals must reproduce to pass down their genes. Mate choice is also called intersexual selection because the behavior occurs between the sexes.
02:12Relationship Formation
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
01:06Natural Selection and Mating Preferences
The principle of natural selection posits that organisms better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This principle is closely intertwined with mating preferences, a key aspect of sexual selection, which evolutionary psychologists believe is driven by instincts to propagate one's genes. Such instincts significantly influence mating behaviors and preferences between genders.
Females, due to their biological roles in conception, pregnancy, and nursing, inherently...
Females, due to their biological roles in conception, pregnancy, and nursing, inherently...
01:23Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective
In a study where individuals posing as strangers offered compliments and proposed casual sex to students, the responses differed significantly based on gender. Not a single woman accepted the proposal, while 70% of the men agreed. This outcome provides a useful scenario to explore through the lens of evolutionary psychology and social learning theory, highlighting the diverse perspectives on human sexual behaviors.
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
01:26Desirable Characteristics in Others
Various factors, including the type of relationship, gender, and duration of the relationship, influence the perception of desirable characteristics in others. While certain traits such as trustworthiness, cooperativeness, agreeableness, and extraversion are universally valued across all relationships, other characteristics are context-dependent and gain prominence based on specific relational dynamics.Universal and Context-Dependent TraitsTrustworthiness and cooperativeness are fundamental...
01:29Close Relationships and Culture
Culture shapes how people approach attraction, choose partners, and build long-term relationships. While some preferences in mate selection appear consistent across cultures, such as men valuing physical attractiveness and women emphasizing financial resources, cultural contexts influence how these preferences are expressed and prioritized. Marriage extends beyond romantic ideals in many societies and is deeply embedded in social, economic, and religious frameworks.The Role of Culture in Mate...