Overview of Mate Selection Theories

Evolutionary Psychology Natural selectionNatural selection origins of human characteristics can be traced back to our ancestorsorigins of human characteristics can be traced back to our ancestors mate-selection preferences that were most likely to ensure that children born would survive into adulthood would be passed on to the next generationmate-selection preferences that were most likely to ensure that children born would survive into adulthood would be passed on to the next generation women seek to marry up (financial resources of man very important for women)women seek to marry up (financial resources of man very important for women)

want to find mates that will be successful providers for the familywant to find mates that will be successful providers for the family Men are attracted to the physical aspects of a womanMen are attracted to the physical aspects of a woman women are attracted to good providers, men attracted to women who appear to be fertilewomen are attracted to good providers, men attracted to women who appear to be fertile

Main Theorists David Buss potential partners enables people to select the person with whom they can raise the most successful childrenpotential partners enables people to select the person with whom they can raise the most successful children

Social Homogamy (Sociology) individuals are attracted to people from a similar social backgroundindividuals are attracted to people from a similar social background and who is similar in age, race, ethnic background, religion, appearance etcand who is similar in age, race, ethnic background, religion, appearance etc

Theorists David Buss - correlations were found for physical characteristics - people find other people with similar appearance as themselves attractive

Theoretical Perspective FunctionalismFunctionalism

Ideal-Mate Theory (Psychology and Sociology) attraction is based on a person’s unconscious image of the ideal mate formed by pleasant and negative experiencesattraction is based on a person’s unconscious image of the ideal mate formed by pleasant and negative experiences the relationship is based on romantic love and ‘love at first sight’ and leads to companionate marriagethe relationship is based on romantic love and ‘love at first sight’ and leads to companionate marriage

Theorist Nadeau - the ideal mate image sets the standards that influence a person’s judgment of potential mates without the person being aware of themNadeau - the ideal mate image sets the standards that influence a person’s judgment of potential mates without the person being aware of them

Theoretical Perspective Symbolic InteractionistSymbolic Interactionist

Social Exchange (Psychology and Sociology) individuals must compete with others to win the hand of the man or woman they loveindividuals must compete with others to win the hand of the man or woman they love attraction is based more on reality than fantasyattraction is based more on reality than fantasy almost everyone finds a mate in his or her society because individuals are attracted to different peoplealmost everyone finds a mate in his or her society because individuals are attracted to different people

Theorists Small - people will assess the resources that he or she has to offer and look for the best possible mate who will be attracted by these resourcesSmall - people will assess the resources that he or she has to offer and look for the best possible mate who will be attracted by these resources

Developmental Perspective (Psychology) Individuals must understand who they are and what their roles are before being able to relate to someone elseIndividuals must understand who they are and what their roles are before being able to relate to someone else individuals cannot foster intimate relationships until they have made the transition to adulthoodindividuals cannot foster intimate relationships until they have made the transition to adulthood the challenge of intimate relationships is gaining intimacy without losing selfthe challenge of intimate relationships is gaining intimacy without losing self

Theorists Erikson - women usually define themselves through connections with others while men retain more independence and delay forming committed relationshipsErikson - women usually define themselves through connections with others while men retain more independence and delay forming committed relationships Levinson - men prefer to retain more interdependence in relationships and also might delay commitment until their life structures are establishedLevinson - men prefer to retain more interdependence in relationships and also might delay commitment until their life structures are established

Conflict/ Feminist Theory explains why in most cultures and societies men are older than women upon marriageexplains why in most cultures and societies men are older than women upon marriage the age difference between men and women is needed so men can maintain a dominant status in a patriarchal marriagethe age difference between men and women is needed so men can maintain a dominant status in a patriarchal marriage

Theorists Fisher Fisher Burggraf Burggraf

Theoretical Perspective social exchange perspective - this ensures that men have greater resources, and that women will need men’s resources to improve their lifestylessocial exchange perspective - this ensures that men have greater resources, and that women will need men’s resources to improve their lifestyles

Arranged Marriages person is influenced very consciously by parents, friends, culture, religion etcperson is influenced very consciously by parents, friends, culture, religion etc Social Exchange theory - the relative social values of the boy and girl are negotiated by the familySocial Exchange theory - the relative social values of the boy and girl are negotiated by the family in past years, the dowry was negotiated by the familyin past years, the dowry was negotiated by the family

Free-Choice Marriages person influenced very unconsciously by parents, friends, culture, religion etcperson influenced very unconsciously by parents, friends, culture, religion etc