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The analysis of assortative mating: a LISREL model.
1Department of Human Genetics, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond 23298.
Behavior Genetics
|March 1, 1990
Summary
Linear models help understand mate selection by distinguishing primary and secondary assortative mating. Marital resemblance for IQ is largely driven by educational level assortative mating.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Genetics
- Quantitative Genetics
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Mate selection is a complex process influenced by various factors.
- Assortative mating, the tendency for individuals to mate with similar others, can be primary (based on individual traits) or secondary (based on traits of potential mates).
- Understanding the nuances of assortative mating is crucial for genetic and social science research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advance the understanding of mate selection processes.
- To provide a framework for discriminating between primary and secondary assortative mating using linear models.
- To illustrate the implementation of these models with empirical data.
Main Methods:
- Utilized linear models to analyze assortative mating.
- Employed LISREL and COSAN software packages for model implementation.
- Analyzed data on cognitive ability, education, and personality.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the utility of linear models in distinguishing between primary and secondary assortative mating.
- Highlighted the near-independence of within-person and marital correlation parameters.
- Found that marital resemblance for IQ is predominantly explained by assortative mating for educational level.
Conclusions:
- Linear modeling provides a powerful tool for dissecting complex mating patterns.
- Educational attainment plays a significant role in assortative mating for intelligence.
- Further research can build upon these methods to explore other traits and populations.