Sex Differences in Mate Preferences Revisited

In paradigms where participants state their ideal romantic partner preferences or examine vignettes and photographs, men value physical attractiveness more than women, and women value earning prospects more than men. Yet it remains unclear if these preferences remain sex-differentiated in predicting desire for real-life potential partners (i.e., individuals whom one has actually met). The present study explored this possibility using speed-dating and longitudinal follow-up procedures. Replicating previous research, participants exhibited traditional sex differences when stating the importance of physical attractiveness and earning prospects in an ideal partner and ideal speeddate. However, data revealed no sex differences in the associations between participants’ romantic interest in real-life potential partners (met during and outside of speed-dating) and the attractiveness and earning prospects of those partners. Furthermore, participants’ ideal preferences, assessed before the speed-dating event, failed to predict what inspired their actual desire at the event. Results are discussed within the context of Nisbett and Wilson’s (1977) seminal paper: Even regarding such a consequential aspect of mental life as romantic partner preferences, participants may lack introspective awareness of what influences their judgments and behavior.