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

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