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)andheterosexualparticipants (N=346men; 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 asmost 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 similarmate 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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 673-682 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Archives of Sexual Behavior |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 1 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Attractiveness
- Heterosexuality
- Homosexuality
- Mate preference
- Sexual orientation
- Status
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
- Psychology(all)