Evolutionary and Biological Perspectives on Mate Preferences

Buss (1989) - Evolutionary Mate Preferences

A study investigating cross-cultural similarities and differences in mate preferences between males and females.

Aim of Buss (1989)

To investigate cross-cultural similarities and differences in mate preferences between males and females.

Method & Participants of Buss (1989)

Survey study with over 10,000 participants from 37 samples in 33 countries across six continents.

Procedure of Buss (1989)

Participants completed a questionnaire asking about preferred age of marriage, desired number of children, ideal age difference between self and spouse, and rated 18 characteristics in terms of their desirability in a potential mate.

Key Findings of Buss (1989)

Women consistently valued financial prospects in a potential partner more than men, while men rated physical attractiveness and youth as more important than women did.

Gender Preferences in Buss (1989)

Men preferred younger mates; women preferred older mates.

Cultural Variation in Buss (1989)

Despite some cultural variation, gender differences in mate preferences were remarkably consistent across cultures.

Conclusion of Buss (1989)

Findings support the evolutionary theory of attraction—women prioritize resources for child-rearing, while men prioritize fertility indicators.

Methodological Strengths of Buss (1989)

Large, diverse, cross-cultural sample improves generalizability; standardized survey allows replication.

Limitations of Buss (1989)

Post hoc reasoning; surveys rely on self-report, which may be affected by cultural or social desirability biases.

Ethical Considerations of Buss (1989)

Confidentiality maintained; no significant psychological risk posed by survey participation.

IB Use of Buss (1989)

Biological approach - supports evolutionary explanations for the formation of interpersonal relationships.

Scheele et al. (2012) - Oxytocin and Fidelity

A study investigating the role of the hormone oxytocin in promoting fidelity among heterosexual males.

Aim of Scheele et al. (2012)

To investigate the role of the hormone oxytocin in promoting fidelity among heterosexual males.

Method & Participants of Scheele et al. (2012)

True experiment with 86 heterosexual males, some single and some in committed relationships.

Procedure of Scheele et al. (2012)

Participants received either intranasal oxytocin or a placebo and completed two tasks: Stop-Distance Paradigm and Approach/Avoidance Task.

Key Findings of Scheele et al. (2012)

Men in relationships who received oxytocin maintained a greater physical distance from the female confederate compared to those who received a placebo.

Image Task Findings of Scheele et al. (2012)

Men in relationships who received oxytocin were slower to pull in pictures of attractive women, showing reduced interest.

Conclusion of Scheele et al. (2012)

Oxytocin appears to promote fidelity by decreasing physical and psychological proximity to potential alternative mates.

Methodological Strengths of Scheele et al. (2012)

Controlled, double-blind, true experiment supports cause-and-effect conclusions.

Limitations of Scheele et al. (2012)

Artificial lab setting may reduce ecological validity; only heterosexual men were studied.

Ethical Considerations of Scheele et al. (2012)

Informed consent was obtained; no known long-term harm from single doses of intranasal oxytocin.

IB Use of Scheele et al. (2012)

Biological approach - demonstrates the role of hormones in behavior, particularly oxytocin in interpersonal fidelity.

Ronay & von Hippel (2010)

Study investigating whether men take more physical risks in the presence of an attractive woman and whether testosterone levels contribute to this behavior.

Aim of Ronay & von Hippel (2010)

To determine whether men take more physical risks in the presence of an attractive woman and whether testosterone levels contribute to this behavior.

Method & Participants of Ronay & von Hippel (2010)

Field experiment with 96 young adult male skateboarders (mean age ≈ 21.6) in Australia.

Procedure of Ronay & von Hippel (2010)

Participants performed two types of skateboard tricks: an easy trick they could land consistently and a difficult trick they could land about 50% of the time, each attempted 10 times in front of a male researcher and then in front of an attractive 18-year-old female.

Key Findings of Ronay & von Hippel (2010)

Participants took significantly more risks on difficult tricks when the attractive woman was present, with higher testosterone levels in the female-present condition.

Conclusion of Ronay & von Hippel (2010)

Men take greater physical risks in the presence of attractive women, possibly as a form of biologically driven 'fitness signaling.'

Methodological Strengths of Ronay & von Hippel (2010)

Real-world setting gives high ecological validity; use of physiological measures strengthens biological conclusions.

Limitations of Ronay & von Hippel (2010)

Low control over environmental variables; results may not generalize to other forms of behavior or to women.

Ethical Considerations of Ronay & von Hippel (2010)

Informed consent obtained; participants faced minor physical risk but were experienced skateboarders.

IB Use of Ronay & von Hippel (2010)

Biological approach - role of hormones (testosterone) in mate attraction and behavior, supporting evolutionary perspectives on mating strategies.

Markey & Markey (2007)

Study investigating whether people are more likely to choose romantic partners who have personality traits similar to their own.

Aim of Markey & Markey (2007)

To investigate whether people are more likely to choose romantic partners who have personality traits similar to their own.

Method & Participants of Markey & Markey (2007)

Correlational study using surveys with 169 undergraduate students in the U.S. (103 female, 66 male).

Procedure of Markey & Markey (2007)

Participants completed two personality questionnaires: a self-rating of 64 personality adjectives and an identical survey rating their ideal romantic partner.

Key Findings of Markey & Markey (2007)

Participants described their ideal romantic partner using traits similar to those they used to describe themselves.

Conclusion of Markey & Markey (2007)

People tend to be attracted to romantic partners who exhibit personality traits similar to their own, supporting the similarity-attraction hypothesis.

Methodological Strengths of Markey & Markey (2007)

Standardized questionnaires make the study easy to replicate; provides quantifiable data for statistical analysis.

Limitations of Markey & Markey (2007)

Self-report bias; social desirability; correlational design cannot infer causation.

Ethical Considerations of Markey & Markey (2007)

Informed consent obtained; no psychological harm; confidentiality maintained.

IB Use of Markey & Markey (2007)

Cognitive approach - supports the idea that cognitive appraisals influence relationship formation.

Mere Exposure Effect

The phenomenon where repeated exposure to a person increases the perception of their attractiveness and other positive traits.

Moreland & Beach (1992)

A study investigating the mere exposure effect using four female confederates attending different numbers of lecture sessions.

Field Experiment

A research method where participants are observed in a natural setting, such as a lecture hall.

Participants in Moreland & Beach Study

130 undergraduate psychology students (63 male, 67 female) in a large lecture hall setting.

Woman A

Confederate who attended 0 classes.

Woman B

Confederate who attended 5 classes.

Woman C

Confederate who attended 10 classes.

Woman D

Confederate who attended 15 classes.

Rating Scale

Participants rated the women on traits like attractiveness, intelligence, warmth, etc., on a scale from 1-7.

Key Findings of Moreland & Beach Study

The more frequently a woman attended class, the more positively she was rated by the students.

Conclusion of Moreland & Beach Study

Repeated exposure increases perceived attractiveness and likability, supporting the mere exposure effect.

Methodological Strengths of Moreland & Beach Study

High ecological validity due to natural university setting and experimental manipulation of exposure.

Limitations of Moreland & Beach Study

Low internal validity due to possible uncontrolled variables and focus on early-stage attraction.

Ethical Considerations of Moreland & Beach Study

No harm or deception beyond standard academic environment; minimal ethical concern due to no interaction.

Sheldon (2009)

A study exploring the relationship between self-disclosure, social attraction, predictability, and trust on Facebook.

Correlational Survey Study

A research method used by Sheldon involving 243 undergraduate students at Louisiana State University.

Key Findings of Sheldon Study

Attraction encourages more self-disclosure, and deeper disclosure increases trust and strengthens relationships.

Conclusion of Sheldon Study

Online relationships develop like offline ones; intimate self-disclosure fosters closeness and attraction.

Methodological Strengths of Sheldon Study

Standardized instruments allow for replication and real-world application to digital communication.

Limitations of Sheldon Study

No causation due to correlational design, self-report bias, and cultural bias.

Ethical Considerations of Sheldon Study

Informed consent and confidentiality maintained with minimal risk.

Tang & Wang (2012)

A study investigating self-disclosure patterns among bloggers in Taiwan.

Correlational Study via Online Survey

Research method involving 1,027 Taiwanese bloggers.

Bloggers Self-Disclosure Scale

A tool used to rate willingness to self-disclose across 9 topic areas.

Self-Disclosure Topics

Areas rated by participants include attitudes, body, money, work, feelings, personal, interests, experiences, unclassified.

Rated disclosure willingness

Percentage indicating how willing individuals are to disclose personal information to different target groups.

Key Findings

Bloggers shared interests and experiences more than private matters like finances or feelings. Depth and breadth of disclosure were highest for best friends, followed by parents, then online audiences.

Social Penetration Theory

Theory suggesting that self-disclosure varies depending on audience, with real-life friendships eliciting deeper, more intimate sharing.

Strengths of the study

Large sample; good ecological validity in online communication context; supports cultural understanding of self-disclosure.

Limitations of the study

Correlational design = no causation; self-report bias; cultural bias (sample only Taiwanese).

Ethical Considerations

Informed consent and confidentiality ensured; no distressing content involved.

LeFebvre et al. (2014)

Study applying Rollie and Duck's model of relationship dissolution to Facebook behaviors during and after breakups.

Participants in LeFebvre et al. (2014)

226 college students who had experienced a breakup in the past two years.

Procedure of LeFebvre et al. (2014)

Participants answered open-ended questions about a specific past romantic breakup.

Key Findings of LeFebvre et al. (2014)

During breakups: minimized activity, removed relationship indicators, monitored ex's activity. After breakups: impression management, deleting photos, blocking or unfriending partners.

Conclusion of LeFebvre et al. (2014)

Digital behaviors during breakups align with Rollie and Duck's stages, particularly the social, grave-dressing, and resurrection stages.

Strengths of LeFebvre et al. (2014)

Offers deep insight into emotional processes in a digital age; supports a classic model in a modern context.

Limitations of LeFebvre et al. (2014)

No causation or numerical analysis; retrospective self-report may involve memory distortion or social desirability.

Ethical Considerations of LeFebvre et al. (2014)

Participants recalled painful events—potential for mild emotional harm; study required debriefing and care in question framing.

IB Use of LeFebvre et al. (2014)

Relationship breakdown - demonstrates the application of classic psychological models to online behaviors.

LeFebvre (2019)

Study investigating ghosting as a modern method of romantic relationship dissolution.

Participants in LeFebvre (2019)

99 emerging adults (ages 18-30) familiar with ghosting.

Procedure of LeFebvre (2019)

Participants answered open-ended questions about their ghosting experiences.

Key Findings of LeFebvre (2019)

Most participants had been both initiators and recipients of ghosting; reasons for ghosting included convenience, loss of attraction, negative partner behavior, and safety concerns.

Conclusion of LeFebvre (2019)

Ghosting is a new form of avoidant breakup strategy enabled by technology, leading to uncertainty and emotional distress for the non-initiator.

Strengths of LeFebvre (2019)

Rich qualitative data gives insight into new relationship behaviors; culturally relevant and timely study.

Limitations of LeFebvre (2019)

No statistical analysis; cannot determine causation or general prevalence; subject to reconstructive memory and social desirability.

Ethical Considerations of LeFebvre (2019)

Potential distress from discussing painful or confusing ghosting experiences; care needed in handling sensitive responses.

IB Use of LeFebvre (2019)

Relationship breakdown - shows how digital technologies affect dissolution and communication.