Choosing dates and mates: College student ratings of self and potential opposite-sex partners.

Abstract

The current study examines the relationships between perceptions of others, decisions regarding dates and mates, and perceptions of self. Fifty-two female and fifty-one male participants viewed video clips of opposite-sex individuals, made similarity, attribute, date, and mate ratings of these individuals, and made personal attribute ratings. Results of multidimensional scaling and regression analyses suggested that female participants relied on perceptions of personality and resources for selecting dates and mates and male participants relied on perceptions of physical attractiveness and personality for selecting dates and mates. Results of correlational analyses provided evidence for positive assortative mating and allowed for the comparison of similarity, complementarity, contrast, and optimization theories of interpersonal attraction.