Sex differences in mate selection preferences

Two hundred and fifty participants (110 male, mean-age 22.23 yrs) completed a five-part, two page questionnaire about mate selection. They described themselves and their ideal partner in their own words; rated 14 desirable characteristics classified under five headings (ability, personality, physical, social and values) completed a short measure of the Big Five personality traits and specified various personal details. Females rated intelligence, stability, conscientiousness, height, education, social skills and political/religious compatibility significantly higher than males, who rated good looks higher than females. Regressions showed that sex, personality and ideology were consistently related to partner preference. Political and religious compatibility was powerfully related to participants' beliefs and values. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.