Abstract
The present study examined partner preferences of homosexual and heterosexual men and woman, focusing on attractiveness and
status. Homosexual (N = 591 men; M age = 28.87 years, SD = 10.21; N = 249 women; M age = 33.36 years, SD = 13.12) and heterosexual participants (N = 346 men; M age = 39.74 years, SD = 14.26; N = 400 women; M age = 35.93 years, SD = 13.72) rated the importance of attractiveness and social status of potential partners and then, in a vignette test, expressed
their desire to date hypothetical potential partners based on photographs that varied in attractiveness and status-related
profiles. With ratings, heterosexual men valued attractiveness the most, followed by homosexual men, heterosexual women, and
homosexual women. Heterosexual women rated social status as most important. When status profiles were manipulated and accompanied
with photographs of faces, the pattern of differences between homosexuals and heterosexuals supported the self-reported results.
Overall, homosexual men and women have similar mate preferences to heterosexual men and women by showing more dating desire
for attractive and high social status persons. Compared to attractiveness, status played a smaller role in dating desire.
status. Homosexual (N = 591 men; M age = 28.87 years, SD = 10.21; N = 249 women; M age = 33.36 years, SD = 13.12) and heterosexual participants (N = 346 men; M age = 39.74 years, SD = 14.26; N = 400 women; M age = 35.93 years, SD = 13.72) rated the importance of attractiveness and social status of potential partners and then, in a vignette test, expressed
their desire to date hypothetical potential partners based on photographs that varied in attractiveness and status-related
profiles. With ratings, heterosexual men valued attractiveness the most, followed by homosexual men, heterosexual women, and
homosexual women. Heterosexual women rated social status as most important. When status profiles were manipulated and accompanied
with photographs of faces, the pattern of differences between homosexuals and heterosexuals supported the self-reported results.
Overall, homosexual men and women have similar mate preferences to heterosexual men and women by showing more dating desire
for attractive and high social status persons. Compared to attractiveness, status played a smaller role in dating desire.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10508-011-9855-9
- Authors
- Thao Ha, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, POB 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Judith E. M. van den Berg, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, POB 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Rutger C. M. E. Engels, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, POB 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Anna Lichtwarck-Aschoff, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, POB 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Journal Archives of Sexual Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-2800
- Print ISSN 0004-0002