CHOOSING THE IDEAL PARTNER: VALUING DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the process of selecting the ideal partner experienced by men and women. 186 people living in the interior of the state of São Paulo participated in this research. Of these, 100 were female (53.8%) and 86 were male (46.2%), aged between 18 and 60 years (m = 30.52; sd = 10.49) and with incomplete higher education (57.5%). Of the participants (75.8%) declared to be single. The instruments used were the “Basic Values Questionnaire” (QVB) and the “Desirable Attributes Scale of the Ideal Partner” (EADPI). The results indicated that men and women do not differ in terms of desirable attributes, both indicated affectionate and sociable. In the basic values, men and women choose the existence factor (personal stability, health and survival) and normative, as the essential values. Correlations with baseline values and desirable attributes on most items were significant between men and women. These results helped to explain the variability in the importance given to desirable attributes when choosing an ideal partner. We conclude that there is no ideal person, people condense defects and qualities, the decision is whether it is worth investing or not.