Sex and Generational Differences in Desired Characteristics in Mate Selection
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2005
Abstract
This study compared the ranking of 18 personal characteristics or qualities which college students might use in selecting a future mate and builds on six other assessment periods from 1939-1996 which dealt with this issue. Among the most consistent findings for all seven assessment periods is the high value both sexes place on dependable character, emotional stability/maturity, pleasing disposition, and mutual attraction/love. Men across all assessment periods placed a higher value than women on good health, good cook/housekeeper, and good looks, while women placed a higher value on ambitious/industrious, similar educational background, and good financial prospect. These trends could go along with ethological theory. For both sexes chastity and similar religious background gained value; however, this may be an artifact of the current sample of 100 students. © Psychological Reports 2005.
Journal Title
Psychological Reports
Volume
96
Issue
1
First Page
19
Last Page
25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.96.1.19-25
First Department
Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Amador, Jael; Charles, Tanya; Tait, Jairus; and Helm, Herbert W., "Sex and Generational Differences in Desired Characteristics in Mate Selection" (2005). Faculty Publications. 2225.
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pubs/2225
