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Preference for Male Risk Takers Varies with Relationship Context and Health Status but not COVID Risk.

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Female preferences for male risk-takers vary based on orientation and health. Poorer country-level health amplifies preferences for risk-takers as short-term mates, suggesting a trade-off between perceived genetic quality and potential costs.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Human Mating Behavior
  • Risk-Taking Behavior

Background:

  • Male risk-taking signals intrinsic quality to potential mates.
  • Previous research indicates male risk-takers are preferred for short-term relationships over long-term ones.
  • Environmental and socioeconomic factors influencing female preferences for male risk-takers remain under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate female preferences for male risk-takers across diverse global contexts.
  • To examine how individual and country-level factors moderate these preferences.
  • To understand the evolutionary underpinnings of mate selection related to risk-taking.

Main Methods:

  • A survey instrument was administered to 1304 females across 47 countries.
  • Data collected included female orientation, risk proneness, self-reported health, and country-level health indicators.
  • Statistical analyses were employed to identify associations and moderating effects.

Main Results:

  • Preferences for physical risk-takers were stronger in females with bisexual orientation and higher risk proneness.
  • Self-reported health positively correlated with preferences for risk-takers as short-term mates.
  • This association was stronger in countries with poorer overall health, suggesting a buffering effect of perceived security.

Conclusions:

  • Female preferences for male risk-takers are influenced by individual traits and environmental conditions.
  • In environments with lower health security, females may prioritize the potential genetic benefits of mating with risk-takers.
  • Novel environmental cues like COVID-19 risk did not significantly alter these evolved preferences.