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Sex Differences in Mate Preferences Across 45 Countries: A Large-Scale Replication
Kathryn V Walter1, Daniel Conroy-Beam1, David M Buss2
1Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Psychological Science
|March 21, 2020
Summary
Human mate preferences show robust sex differences: men prefer younger, attractive partners, while women prefer older partners with resources. As gender equality rises, partners
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary psychology
- Human mating behavior
- Cross-cultural studies
Background:
- Human mate preferences exhibit universal sex differences and cultural variations.
- Existing research relies on dated data, with conflicting methodologies and conclusions.
- Evolutionary psychological and biosocial role perspectives offer competing explanations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate classic studies on human mate preferences.
- To test evolutionary and biosocial role perspectives using a contemporary, large-scale dataset.
- To examine the influence of gender equality and pathogen prevalence on mate preferences.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from 14,399 individuals across 45 countries.
- Replication of established methodologies for assessing mate preferences.
- Statistical analyses to test hypotheses regarding sex differences and cultural moderators.
Main Results:
- Universal sex differences in mate preferences were robustly supported.
- Men prioritized attractiveness and youth; women prioritized age and financial prospects.
- Increased gender equality correlated with partners being closer in age across cultures.
Conclusions:
- Classic findings on sex differences in human mate preferences remain valid.
- Gender equality influences age-based mate selection, but not other preference dimensions.
- Pathogen prevalence did not significantly predict cross-cultural variations in mate preferences.
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