By: Jennifer Busico, Renee Egizi, Laura Jimenez Buss, D. M. (2008). Attractive Women Want It All: Good Genes, Economic Investment, Parenting Proclivities, and Emotional Commitment. Evolutionary Psychology, 6(1),

Women Preferences for long term and short term relationships Women can’t have it all Often trade-off: Good gene fitness and Good investment 4 clusters of qualities for long term mate – Good genes – Good resources – Good parenting – Good partner

 Women high in mate value, compared to those lower in mate value, should impose higher standards for a suite of desirable characteristics

 214 participants (107 males & females)  Criteria: married less than 1 year  Public Record of Marriage Licenses in Midwest  Participants given $25  Mean Ages: men-25.46, females-24.78

 3 assessments ◦ At home questionnaire, female rate physical attractiveness of self ◦ Laboratory questionnaires  Factors in Choosing a Mate  Preferences Concerning Potential Mates  Family and Marital Preference  Goals Wanted in a Partner ◦ Interview

 Positive correlation between high female attractiveness and the 4 cluster of qualities ◦ Female attractiveness was not a factor in determining male Intelligence  No correlation between male attractiveness and the 4 cluster of qualities ◦ Males love all women

 High attractive females require higher attractive standards  Limitations: ◦ Sample consisted of only married individuals ◦ Participants from a single culture ◦ Do women actually obtain a man who “has it all” ◦ Look into the invariability for preference of male intelligence

Pros – Thorough in examination (initial assessment at home, 4 questionnaires in laboratory, final interview) – Focused on young contemporary women (24 years-old) – Confidentiality assurance – Layout of journal (clear and precise) Cons – No random selection – Small sample (107 males/females) can’t generalize – Participants belief in mate containing 4 cluster of qualities is contradicting (no man has it all) – Did not provide sample of questionnaires – Did not go in depth regarding the non-present correlation of males – Defining of terms ambiguous – No in-depth analysis; simply stating results – No analysis on less attractive women

1. True or False: Based on this study, do high attractive females adjust their preferences for male qualities? 2. True or False : Males do not have a preference for female attractiveness? 3. True or False : There is a difference between low and high attractive female’s preferences on male intelligence? 4. How many assessment(s) did the participants encounter during the experiment? a. 7 b. 1 c. 3 d Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Male preference? a. A loving partner b. A house c. A heterosexual d. Social Status 6. How long had the participants been married? a. 1 year b. Newlyweds c. 5 years d. 2 years