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Hum Nat (2012) 23:447466
DOI 10.1007/s12110-012-9152-x
Sascha Schwarz & Manfred Hassebrauck
Published online: 2 September 2012# Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012
Abstract For nearly 70 years, studies have shown large sex differences in human mate selection preferences. However, most of the studies were restricted to a limited set of mate selection criteria and to college students, and neglecting relationship status. In this study, 21,245 heterosexual participants between 18 and 65 years of age (mean age 41) who at the time were not involved in a close relationship rated the importance of 82 mate selection criteria adapted from previous studies, reported age ranges for the oldest and youngest partner that they would find acceptable, and responded to 10 yes/no questions about a potential marriage partner. For nearly all mate selection criteria, women were found to be the more demanding sex, although men placed consistently more value on the physical attractiveness of a potential partner than women. Also, the effects of the participants age and level of education were nearly negligible. These results demonstrate the robustness of sex differences in mate selection criteria across a substantial age range.
Keywords Age differences . Age preferences . Evolutionary psychology. Mate selection . Sex differences
Since the late 1920s, many studies have yielded insights into human mate selection preferences. Using a method that was originally developed by undergraduate Harold Christensen at Ricks College (Powers 1971), Hill (1945) asked students to rate the importance of 18 selection criteria for a potential mate and indicate the acceptable age range of a partner. This method is often referred to as the mate-selection questionnaire. He found that women emphasized ambition and industriousness, education and general intelligence, and good financial prospects more than men. In contrast, men placed considerably more emphasis on good cook and housekeeper, good looks, and desire for home life and children. Also, Hill (1945) found that men prefer a partner
S. Schwarz (*) : M. Hassebrauck
Department of Psychology, University of Wuppertal, 42119 Wuppertal, Germany e-mail: [email protected]
Sex and Age Differences in Mate-Selection Preferences
448 Hum Nat (2012) 23:447466
who is 2.3 years younger and women prefer a partner who is 3.4 years older than they are.
In the following years, several studies replicated this pattern using the mate-selection questionnaire. Feingold...