The Effects of Control of Resources on Magnitudes of Sex Differences in Human Mate Preferences

We tested the hypothesis that magnitudes of sex differences in human mate preferences would be inversely related to control of resources. Specifically, we predicted that the ideal partner age, maximum and minimum partner ages tolerated and preferences for “physical attractiveness” over “good financi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fhionna Moore, Clare Cassidy, David I. Perrett
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2010-10-01
Series:Evolutionary Psychology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/147470491000800412
Description
Summary:We tested the hypothesis that magnitudes of sex differences in human mate preferences would be inversely related to control of resources. Specifically, we predicted that the ideal partner age, maximum and minimum partner ages tolerated and preferences for “physical attractiveness” over “good financial prospects” of female participants would approach parity with that of men with increasing control of resources. In a sample of 3770 participants recruited via an online survey, the magnitudes of sex differences in age preferences increased with resource control whereas the sex difference in preferences for “physical attractiveness” over “good financial prospects” disappeared when resource control was high. Results are inconsistent, and are discussed in the context of adaptive tradeoff and biosocial models of sex differences in human mate preferences.
ISSN:1474-7049