Mate selection preferences in Germany and the United States

Abstract

Two studies examined expressed mate selection preferences in German and American samples. In the first study (German N=343; American N=313), subjects ranked 13 characteristics on their desirability in a potential mate. Large and consistent sex differences were predicted and found within each country on valuation of good earning capacity (females more) and physical attractiveness (males more). The largest cultural differences were found for valuation of the characteristics Good Housekeeper (Germans more) and Physical Attractiveness (Americans more). A second study (German N=751; American N=1137) was conducted to replicate and extend these results using two separate testing instruments and larger more diverse samples within each country. The basic sex differences within countries and cultural differences across sexes were robustly replicated. None the less, the two countries showed remarkable similarity in patterns of mating preferences across characteristics. Discussion emphasizes the theoretical significance of these findings and identifies important directions for future research in human mating systems.