Mate Preferences in Intelligence, Economic Success, and Sociosexual Orientation Scores

Previous research regarding mate preferences in heterosexual women has been vast, but has been exceptionally limited in the fact that it has not investigated the interactions between the value placed on specific traits in a partner and the value an individual places on their own traits. Therefore, there is a need for research amongst the interactions between mate preferences and characteristics that make up one’s own mate value to further understand why heterosexual individuals select certain mates. Exploring the preferences for mate value traits based on the value placed on one’s own trait is crucial to determine driving factors when selecting a mate. Evolved psychological mate preferences among heterosexual women have determined that preferences for intelligence and economic success are adaptive in long-term mate selection. Their preference for intelligence serves to select a mate whose traits will improve their offspring’s genetic quality, but if an individual values their own intelligence, how does this interact with their preference for an intelligent mate? Similarly, if one values their own economic stability, do they prefer a mate who is economically successful? Finally, how do these traits interact with one’s sociosexual orientation? Can the amount of value an individual places on a certain trait be used to predict their SOI score? In order to determine if these predictions are applicable to heterosexual women, preferences for intelligence and economic success were investigated and compared with SOI scores. The current study consisted of 79 heterosexual female participants from DeLecce et al. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 43, 319–327, 2014. All 79 women completed the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI). The current study seeks to investigate if the amount of value an individual places on a trait in a potential mate can give indication to their SOI score and in turn their mating strategy. It is expected that females who place higher value on intelligence and economic success in a potential mate will have lower SOI scores and therefore are more likely to seek long-term partners. The data will also be analyzed to assess their preferences according to the value they place on their own intelligence and economic stability to determine if the value they place on mate preferences seeks to fill a need, such as good genes or resources to aid in their reproductive success.