Sex Differences in Mate Preferences in Australia: Exploring Evolutionary and Social-Economic Theories

Abstract

Extensive research on sex differences in mate preferences has found that men desire the physical attractiveness of a potential partner more than do women, and women desire the status and resources potential partner more than do men. The aim of the current study was to explore these sex differences in mate preferences specifically in the Australian culture, a culture that has not yet received attention in mate preferences literature. The current study predicted Australian men and women would exhibit traditional sex differences in mate preferences. The current study also aimed to explore the effect of variation in Australian women's socio-economic status (SES) and their corresponding ratings of characteristics in a potential partner. One hundred and forty-four Australian participants completed a mate selection questionnaire and results supported traditional sex differences in mate preferences. Results also found that women's SES had no effect on desirability of status and resources, but positively related to desirability of physical attractiveness in a potential partner. Results are discussed in terms of evolutionary and social-economic theories.