bims-chumac Biomed News
on Context effects on human mate choice
Issue of 2022–05–22
eight papers selected by
Thomas Krichel, Open Library Society
  1. Sex and Sexual Orientation Differences in Sexuality and Mate Choice Criteria.
  2. The Good, the Bad and the Hijab: A Study of Implicit Associations Made by Practicing Muslims in Their Native Muslim Country.
  3. Playing Hard-to-Get: A New Look at an Old Strategy.
  4. Oxytocin Reduces the Attractiveness of Silver-Tongued Men for Women During Mid-Cycle.
  5. Evidence of partner similarity for autistic traits, systemizing, and theory of mind via facial expressions.
  6. Giving a Body a Different Face-How Men and Women Evaluate Their Own Body vs. That of Others.
  7. Dialing up desire and dampening disinterest: regulating sexual desire in the bedroom and sexual and relationship well-being.
  8. Effects of photographer physical attractiveness on photograph aesthetic value assessment.
  1. Arch Sex Behav. 2022 May 19.
    Sex and Sexual Orientation Differences in Sexuality and Mate Choice Criteria.
    Bogdan Kostic, John E Scofield.
      Previous research has documented several reliable differences between men and women in terms of mate preferences regarding age, physical appearance, financial prospects, and more. However, most of the research has been on heterosexual populations. The current study attempted to further explore those differences in non-heterosexual populations. The project was part replication regarding heterosexual populations and part exploratory regarding non-heterosexual populations. The sample contained 3298 participants, including 1863 males (1675 gynephiles, 56 androphiles, 132 bisexuals) and 1435 females (1037 androphiles, 33 gynephiles, 365 bisexuals). Participants responded to questions about mate preferences in terms of good financial prospects, good looks, chastity, ambition/industriousness, youth/age, uncommitted sex, visual sexual stimuli, status, physical attractiveness, jealousy, and interest in short- versus long-term mating. Results replicated typical sex differences between heterosexual men and women in all measures we analyzed. We also found several instances when bisexual respondents were more different from heterosexual respondents than homosexual respondents (specifically regarding interest in uncommitted sex, the importance of chastity, and interest in short-term mating). Despite limitations in data collection, the results demonstrate that homosexual and bisexual individuals do not always form a heterogenous group.
    Keywords:  Evolution; Mate choice; Sex differences; Sexual orientation
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02280-6
  2. Psychol Rep. 2022 May 19. 332941221103532
    The Good, the Bad and the Hijab: A Study of Implicit Associations Made by Practicing Muslims in Their Native Muslim Country.
    Mercedes Sheen, Hajar Aman Key Yekani, Timothy R Jordan.
      Recent research indicates that wearing the hijab reduces the attractiveness of female faces perceived by practicing Muslim men and women in their native Muslim country (the United Arab Emirates). The purpose of the current research was to develop this finding to investigate whether other aspects of person perception are also affected when women wear the hijab in this Muslim country. Of particular relevance is that changes in physical attractiveness often affect the personal qualities assigned to individuals. Accordingly, we sought to determine whether such effects occur when the physical attractiveness of women is altered by wearing the hijab. To do this, we used an Implicit Association Test (IAT) to investigate how native Muslim participants in the UAE associated pleasant and unpleasant connotations with images of women either wearing the hijab or with their heads uncovered. As in previous research with native Muslim participants, female faces were again perceived as significantly less attractive when the hijab was worn. However, the accompanying IAT findings showed that these less attractive hijab-wearing images were associated more with pleasant connotations than were the matched uncovered images. These findings provide fresh insight into the effects of the hijab on perceptions of Muslim women in a Muslim country and provide support for the view that cultural clothing can influence person perception beyond physical attractiveness alone.
    Keywords:  Person perception; culture; hijab; implicit association test; physical attractiveness stereotype
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941221103532
  3. J Sex Res. 2022 May 17. 1-16
    Playing Hard-to-Get: A New Look at an Old Strategy.
    Laurie Houle, Erin Barker, Emily Pronin.
      According to dating folklore, playing "hard-to-get" is an effective strategy for attracting prospective mates. However, some research suggests that this strategy could backfire if it leads prospective mates to withhold their attraction in return. The present research aimed to review the scope of research on the link between playing hard-to-get - i.e., appearing uncertain in one's interest and/or difficult to attract - and romantic or sexual outcomes. A scoping search was conducted in the electronic databases of PsycINFO, Sociology Source Ultimate, Anthropology Plus, and Academic Search Ultimate using key words related to playing hard-to-get in the context of dating. A total of 18 studies were included in the review. Research suggests that playing hard-to-get may work if optimal levels of perceived uncertainty and difficulty are achieved. Additional variables were identified as being important when evaluating the tactic's efficacy. These include the pursuer's own level commitment to the pursued partner and aversion to uncertainty, and both the pursuer and pursued partners' gender and attachment styles. Directions for future research and the relevance of sociocultural norms in dating are discussed. Keywords: playing hard-to-get, dating, romantic relationships, mating strategy, attraction.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2022.2070117
  4. Front Neurosci. 2022 ;16 760695
    Oxytocin Reduces the Attractiveness of Silver-Tongued Men for Women During Mid-Cycle.
    Zhao Gao, Xiaole Ma, Xinqi Zhou, Fei Xin, Shan Gao, Juan Kou, Benjamin Becker, Keith M Kendrick.
      In humans, the neuropeptide oxytocin promotes both attraction toward and bonds with romantic partners, although no studies have investigated whether this extends to the perceived attractiveness of flirtatious language. In a within-subject, randomized double-blind placebo-controlled behavior and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm (https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT03144115), 75 women rated the attractiveness of either a male face alone or paired with a verbal compliment which varied in terms of topic (women or landscapes) and figurativeness (novel or conventional metaphors or literal expressions). Subjects were tested in fertile and luteal phases of their cycle and on both occasions received either 24 IU intranasal oxytocin or placebo. Results showed that, whereas under placebo women in the fertile phase rated the facial attractiveness of men producing novel metaphorical compliments higher than in their luteal phase, following oxytocin treatment they did not. Correspondingly, under oxytocin the faces of individuals producing novel metaphorical compliments evoked greater responses in brain regions involved in processing language (middle frontal gyrus) and cognitive and emotional conflict (posterior middle cingulate and dorsal anterior cingulate) but reduced functional connectivity between the dorsal anterior cingulate and right orbitofrontal and medial frontal gyri. Thus, sex hormones and oxytocin may have opposite effects in regulating mate selection in women during their fertile phase. Novel metaphorical compliments convey a greater sexual than bonding intention and thus while sex hormones at mid-cycle may promote attraction to individuals communicating sexual rather than bonding intent, oxytocin may bias attraction away from such individuals through increasing cognitive and emotional conflict responses toward them.
    Keywords:  attractiveness; mate choice; menstrual cycle; metaphor; oxytocin
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.760695
  5. Sci Rep. 2022 May 19. 12(1): 8451
    Evidence of partner similarity for autistic traits, systemizing, and theory of mind via facial expressions.
    Gareth Richards, Simon Baron-Cohen, Varun Warrier, Ben Mellor, Jessica Davies, Laura Gee, John Galvin.
      It has been hypothesised that romantic partners are more similar than chance in relation to autistic traits. To test this theory, we recruited n = 105 heterosexual couples and examined within-couple correlations for autistic traits [measured using the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)], empathizing [measured using the Empathy Quotient (EQ)], and systemizing [measured using the Systemizing Quotient-Revised (SQ-R)]. For a subsample that attended the lab (n = 58 couples), we also investigated theory of mind via facial expressions using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) and attention to detail, a component within systemizing, using the Embedded Figures Task (EFT). Variable-centred analyses revealed positive within-couple correlations for all measures except EQ, although these effects were only statistically significant for unmarried couples and not for married/engaged couples. Follow-up analyses indicated that the observed couple similarity effects are likely consistent with people pairing with those more similar than chance (initial assortment) rather than becoming alike over time (convergence), and to seeking out self-resembling partners (active assortment) rather than pairing in this manner via social stratification processes (social homogamy). Additionally, a significant within-couple correlation for autistic traits was observed at the meta-analytic level. However, it should be noted that the meta-analytic effect size estimate was small (r = 0.153) and indicates that only ~ 2% of variance in a person's score on a phenotypic measure of autistic traits can be predicted by that of their partner.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-11592-z
  6. Front Psychol. 2022 ;13 853398
    Giving a Body a Different Face-How Men and Women Evaluate Their Own Body vs. That of Others.
    Mona M Voges, Hannah L Quittkat, Benjamin Schöne, Silja Vocks.
      Eating disorders affect women more than men. Women reportedly dislike their body shape more and appreciate it less than do men. One factor influencing body image might be the application of different standards for oneself than for other people when evaluating bodies. To investigate this possibility, we determined whether the application of double standards is different between men and women. We presented 57 women and 54 men (aged 18-30 and of average weight) with pictures of their own bodies and pictures of average weight, overweight, and "ideal" bodies attached to the participants' own face and to another person's face. Participants were instructed to evaluate their emotional reaction to the pictures and then rate the various pictures on aspects of attractiveness, body fat, and muscle mass. The degree of the double standard was defined as the difference between ratings of what appeared to be one's own body and what appeared to be someone else's according to the presented face. The analyses revealed, firstly, that both genders applied self-deprecating double standards when viewing overweight and average-weight bodies. Women, but not men, also showed self-deprecating double standards when viewing the ideal body and their own body. By contrast, men applied fewer double standards when viewing the ideal body and self-enhancing double standards when viewing their own body. The study suggests that young, average-weight men are more or less satisfied with their own bodies, whereas young, average-weight women tend to apply a stricter standard for themselves than for others, thus devaluing their own bodies. This vulnerability to body image is hypothesized as contributing to the prevalence of eating disorders in women.
    Keywords:  body evaluation; body image; double standards; gender difference; identity; self-deprecating bias
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.853398
  7. J Soc Pers Relat. 2022 Jun;39(6): 1551-1573
    Dialing up desire and dampening disinterest: regulating sexual desire in the bedroom and sexual and relationship well-being.
    Rebecca M Horne, Stephanie Raposo, Amy Muise, Cheryl Harasymchuk, Emily A Impett.
      Romantic partners often regulate their emotions and affection to achieve certain goals, but research has yet to explore how partners regulate their expression of sexual desire during sex and its implications for couples' well-being. In two multi-part dyadic diary studies of primarily mixed-gender couples in longer-term relationships residing in North America, we examined three questions. First, is amplifying desire and suppressing disinterest during sex associated with both partners' daily sexual and relationship satisfaction? Second, do these associations differ by level of sexual desire and gender? Third, tested in our second sample, can these associations be explained by feelings of sexual inauthenticity? Across both samples (Ntotal = 225 couples, 450 participants), amplifying desire was associated with lower sexual satisfaction, while suppressing disinterest was not associated with daily satisfaction. Importantly, sexual desire played a role in the links between desire regulation during sex and satisfaction: on days when people were low in sexual desire, amplification was associated with both partners' lower sexual satisfaction, while suppression was associated with a partner's higher relationship satisfaction. In addition, amplification (on low desire days) and suppression (regardless of desire level) were associated with lower sexual authenticity which, in turn, was linked to lower relationship satisfaction. The findings suggest that desire regulation during sex plays an important role in couples' daily sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction-in part because it feels sexually inauthentic-with the implications of this regulation being particularly strong when people feel low sexual desire.
    Keywords:  amplification; authenticity; romantic relationships; sexual desire regulation; sexuality; suppression
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211054781
  8. Perception. 2022 May 17. 3010066221098158
    Effects of photographer physical attractiveness on photograph aesthetic value assessment.
    Cui Zhu, Zan Liu, Meng Pei, Yanjie Su.
      Existent studies have demonstrated that being physically attractive leads to preferences and rewards in various scenarios involving performance evaluation. In this study, we explored whether a photographer's physical attractiveness could affect others' assessment of a photograph's aesthetic value. Participants (N=54) accomplished an online task to pair portraits and non-portrait photographs, followed by completing two questionnaires on cognitive reflection and empathy. Analytical results revealed that an attractive photographer was more likely to be associated with a highly aesthetic photograph, and this bias was moderated by the participant's level of cognitive reflection and empathy. Meanwhile, it could be reduced by the participant's professional experience.
    Keywords:  aesthetic value assessment; cognitive reflection; empathy; photography; physical attractiveness
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1177/03010066221098158
This page is being maintained by Thomas Krichel. It was last updated on 2026‒04‒28 at 4:43.