engleski

International Preferences in Selecting Mates: A Study of 37 Cultures

This study sought to identify the effects of culture and sex on mate preferences using samples drawn world-wide. Thirty-seven samples were obtained from 33 countries located on six continents and five islands (N=9474). Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed strong effects of both culture and sex, moderated by specific mate characteristics. Each culture displayed a unique preference ordering, but there were some similarities among all cultures as reflected in a positive manifold of the cross-country correlation matrix. Multidimensional scaling of the cultures yielded a five-dimension solution, the first two of which were interpreted: traditional vs. modern and valuation of education, intelligence and refinement. Consistent sex differences in value attached to earning potential and physical attractiveness supported evolution-based hypotheses about the importance of resources and reproductive value in mates. Discussion emphasizes the importance of psychological mate preferences for scientific disciplines ranging from evolutionary biology to sociology.

mate preferences; cross-cultural comparison

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