Gender differences and mate selection
Males and females play different roles in our society, therefore, they have different responsibilities toward their family and offspring. Due to the physical differences, males and females use different criteria in looking for a mate. Females invest direct resources such as their bodies and males, in contrast, invest indirect resources such as food and protection (Kohl, Atzmueller, Fink, & Grammer, 2001). According to this perspective, gender differences affect the criteria in mate selection and the way each gender acts in searching for a mate.
The gender differences in mate selection criteria among humans have been observed by social and behavioral scientists for decades, only recently have such differences been interpreted and studied from an evolutionary perspective, such as theories of differential parental investment and sexual selection (Bunk, Dulstra, Fetchenhauer, & Kenrick, 2002).
Based on evolutionary perspective, Trivers (1976) suggested parental investment theory: “Parental investment theory predicts that females who look for long-term relationships should seek out and choose males who are ready to invest resources in their offspring. This minimizes female investment, but maximizes overall investment through added male assistance. In contrast, males are expected either to attempt copulation frequently with as many fertile females as possible, or to develop a pair bond. This helps to ensure that either a large number of offspring survive without significant paternal investment, or that paternal investment occurs primarily when another male does not father offspring (Kohl, Atzmueller, Fink, & Grammer, 2001).” Thus, mate selection is a task of information processing, and evolution would favor individuals who were able to quickly and reliably process information that allowed them to carry on their genes (Kenrick, Neuberg, & Cialdini 2000).
Previous research
Gender difference in mate selection
Based on this theory, it is assumed that males and females will be attracted to a potential mate who can provide such specific resources, with females being more attractive to characteristics related to resource acquisition such as status or power, and males more to characteristics associated with reproductive potential, in particular physical attractiveness (Bunk, Dulstra, Fetchenhauer, & Kenrick, 2002).
Thus, men would attach greater levels of importance of the physical attraction of their partners than women would, and physical attractiveness and youth are more important to males, whereas social status, financial status and intelligence are more important to females (Crooks, & Baur, 1994).
These predictions have garnered considerable support. Schmitt (2002) has corroborated the difference between men and women, men placed great emphasis on physical appearance in choosing a mating partner and women, in contrast, placed more emphasis on resource-related attributes when they attract and retain a long-term marital partner. Crooks,R., & Baur, K. (1994) confirmed that men place greater value than women on mates who are both young and physically attractive whereas women placed greater value on potential mates who were older, had good financial prospects and were dependable and industrious. As a result, men emphasize their material status such as money, possessions (Hendricks, Olson, Hall, et al. 1998), and women would set higher standards for their physical appearance than men do.
Gender differences in sexuality
In a study by Kenrick, Neuberg, & Cialdini (2000) which conducted at the Arizona State University, asked students about their standards for a single date, one-night stand, date steadily, and marriage. For a single date, both men and women wanted a person of an average intelligence. For a steady partner or marriage partner, both sexes wanted someone well above average in intelligence. But, the largest difference between genders is the criteria for a sexual partner, the sexes diverge as shown in the figure below. While women wanted more intelligence in a sexual partner, men were willing to have a sex with women whose intelligence was lower than their minimum standard of a date.
The result was duplicated at another 177 universities, and they all fit with this research.
This reflects the parental investment theory, which predicted that men would try to “attempt copulation frequently with as many fertile females as possible (Kohl, Atzmueller, Fink, & Grammer, 2001).” In addition, here is a continuingly experiment which directly indicates the differences between men and women.
To ensure the accuracy of the previous research on the attitude toward one-night stands, researchers designed a survey for students about an opportunity of a one-night stand. None of women said yes to an invitation to go to bed, men, in contract, said yes in more than 70 percent of the invitations. As the result, men were more willing to go to bed rather than go on a date.
Cross-culture and homosexual
What we have discussed so far is the results of studies performed both in the U.S. and between heterosexual. Studies of cross-culture confirm the result. For instance, Hendricks, Olson, Hall, et al. (1998) found that the gender difference in mating is evident across the globe and women’s attraction to men’s status seems consistent across culture (Kenrick, Neuberg, & Cialdini 2000). Studies of homosexual corroborated the difference of preference between genders. For example, Kenrick, Neuberg, & Cialdini (2000) suggested homosexual men also show a preference for young, attractive partners, lesbians, on the other hand, are even less likely to have casual sex than heterosexual women.
Discussion/Summary
Men and women are different. They are different in many ways. Due to these differences, gender diverges the role that males and females should do in both their own family and society. Each gender has different expectation from society and from themselves as well. Because of the gender differences, they affect the criteria in mate selection and the way each gender acts in searching a mate.
We began this research to examine whether gender differences would affect the preference of the mate-selection and the way we act in searching for a mate is true. We looked at several other similar studies dealing with gender differences and preferences in mate selection. Based on parental investment theory, we found that males and females have different attitude and criteria in choosing a mate in order to carry on their genes.
According to this view, males and females will be attracted to a person who can provide specific resources, with females being more attractive to characteristics related to resource acquisition such as status or power, and males more to characteristics associated with reproductive potential, in particular physical attractiveness (Bunk, Dulstra, Fetchenhauer, & Kenrick, 2002). For instance, we found that physical attraction is importance for males, whereas financial status is important for females. It confirms the gender differences affect the criteria in mate selection.
The research of gender differences in sexuality directly revealed that gender differences affect the way each gender acts in looking for a mate. It confirms the parental investment theory that men would copulation frequently with as many females as possible. In addition, it corroborated the researches of expanding parental investment theory that men place greater value than women on mates who are physically attractive.
Overall, the cross-culture and homosexual research has double confirmed gender differences in mating are evident across the globe and it can be duplicated in homosexual individual.
Reference
Bogaert, A. F., & Sadava, S. (2002). Adult attachment and sexual behavior. Personal relationship, 9 (2),191-204.
Bunnk, B, P., Dijkstra, P., Fetchenhauer, D., & Kenrick, D. T. (2002). Age and gender differences in mate selection criteria for various involvement levels. Personal relationship 9(2), 271-278
Crooks,R., & Baur, K. (1994). Love and the development of sexual relationships. Our sexuality (pp. 175-177). Pacific Grove, CA: Brocks/ Cole publishing company.
Hendricks, C., Olson, D., Hall, S., & Batt, J. (1998, Spring). Gender difference in physical attraction. Retrieved February 25, 2003, from the Miami University Web site: http:/
www.units.muohio.edu/psybersite/Attraction/gender.shtml
Kenrick, D. T., Neuberg, S. L., & Cialdini, R. B. (2000). Love and romantic relationship. Social psychology (pp.263-291). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon A Person Education Company.
Kohl, J.V., Atzmueller, M., Fink, B., and Grammer, K. (2001). Human Pheromones: Integrating Neuroendocrinology and Ethology. Neuroendocrinology letters, Sep,
Schmitt, D. P. (2002). A meta-analysis of sex difference in romantic attraction: Do rating contexts moderate tactic effectiveness judgments? British Journal of Social Psychology, 41(3), 387-403.
