This study was an attempt to determine whether or not men and women still pursue a romantic partner as influenced by evolutionary necessity. Thirty-six personal ads written by 18 men and 18 women ranging in age from 25 years old to 44 years old were read and coded. Results support an evolutionary-based mate selection theory. Previous findings from similar studies were confirmed as it was concluded that men still tend to look for physically attractive and healthy partners as such can bear children.
[...] The dependent variable was the qualities a participant stated he/she desired in a partner. The two levels of the dependent variable were physical attributes and perceived health as well as perceived stability/ provision ability. Physical attributes and perceived health was defined as stated specificities or preference for hair and/or eye color, body type and/or height and/or age, particular body parts and/or features. Also included was stated preference for a partner that was fit and/or interested in maintaining fitness and preference for a partner who smelled good. [...]
[...] Once observing an individual profile, gender and age were gathered from the subject's response in the standard information box (to the right of the subject's picture if a picture was uploaded). In order to collect data for the subject's preference for physical attributes and perceived health and/or perceived stability/provision ability, the subject's free response portion was read. Within this free response portion, qualitative data was gathered for coding. If the subject did not complete a free response section, the next, 3rd profile, was observed. [...]
[...] There is a great need for further research in regards to gender differences in mate selection when individuals are attempting to find a partner via Internet dating. In the context of online dating, it is predicted that men and women will differ in mate selection, these differences, will be evolutionary- based. Men will give greater significance to physical attributes, namely attractiveness, and perceived health, as are attached to child bearing. Women will attribute greater significance to perceived stability/ provision ability. [...]
[...] Gender, gender roles affecting mate preferences in Turkish college students. College Student Journal, 42(2,PtB), 603-616. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com Gustavsson, L., Johnsson, J., & Uller, T. (2008). Mixed support for sexual selection theories of mate preferences in the Swedish population. Evolutionary Psychology, 575-585. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com Todd, P., Penke, L., Fasolo, B., & Lenton, A. (2007). Different cognitive processes human mate choices and mate preferences. PNAS Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 104(38), 15011-15016. [...]
[...] As nearly 34% of ads written by men contained no mention of physical attributes/perceived health or stability/provision ability, it could be that these men were either fearful of stating all of their preferences for a mate in an online ad or that they truly did not have a preference either way. While statistical significance does not prove the hypothesis or does it suggest the reason for these differences, the findings support the previous findings of Todd, Penke, Fasolo, and Lenton (2007) and Gazioglu (2008) that suggested women give greater preference to a partner's earning capacity (indicative of stability and provision ability) while men gave greater importance to physical attributes. [...]
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