Mate Value and Self-Esteem: Evidence from Eight Cultural Groups

Robin Goodwin,Felix Neto,Marta Fülöp,Tara Marshall,Sonia Hernandez Plaza,Joseph Adonu,Slawomir Spiewak,Alex Mesoudi

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0036106

Abstract

This paper explores self-perceived mate value (SPMV), and its association with self-esteem, in eight cultures. 1066 participants, from 8 cultural groups in 7 countries, rated themselves on 24 SPMVs and completed a measure of self-esteem. Consistent with evolutionary theory, women were more likely to emphasise their caring and passionate romantic nature. In line with previous cross-cultural research, characteristics indicating passion and romance and social attractiveness were stressed more by respondents from individualistic cultures, and those higher on self-expression (rather than survival) values; characteristics indicative of maturity and confidence were more likely to be mentioned by those from Traditional, rather than Secular, cultures. Contrary to gender role theory, societal equality had only limited interactions with sex and SPMV, with honesty of greater significance for male self-esteem in societies with unequal gender roles. These results point to the importance of cultural and environmental factors in influencing self-perceived mate qualities, and are discussed in relation to broader debates about the impact of gender role equality on sex differences in personality and mating strategies.

Highlights

A great deal of previous research has examined the partners we seek for a romantic relationship [1]
We suggest that holding positive relationship attributes is likely to be predictive of high self-esteem, but that self-enhancement is likely to be culture specific, with the correlation between particular self-perceived mate value (SPMV) and self-esteem partly dependent on cultural group
In this study we examined differences in self-perceived mate value (SPMV) across eight cultural groups in seven countries, and the relationship between perceived mate value and self-esteem by gender and culture

Summary

Introduction

A great deal of previous research has examined the partners we seek for a romantic relationship [1]. Traits that maximize gene replication are considered fit and assumed to be targets of mate choice [7] Research from this perspective suggests that, as men prefer women with characteristics that indicate their ability to produce viable offspring, women should value their youth, physical attractiveness and health when indicating their SPMV [1]. Women themselves prefer men with social status or dominance, indicators of resource potential that suggest men with these qualities can ‘provide’ for their family [8,9]. This implies that characteristics such as earning potential, ambition and industriousness should be valued by men as important for attracting a potential partner. Lower cultural stress has been associated with stronger relationship parent-child attachment, which has contributed to greater subsequent emotional investment in close relationships [13]

Methods

Results

Conclusion