The long and short of mistress relationships: Sex-differentiated mate preferences reflect a compromise of mating ideals

Publication Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

5-2022

Abstract

ObjectiveEvolved mate preferences have taken center stage in evolutionary psychology research, yet this literature has been fairly muted on mate preferences for extrapair partners. Here, we examined the mate preferences for mistress relationships (the traits that men prioritize in a mistress and mistresses prioritize in their male partners) and compared these preferences to those of short- and long-term relationships.MethodIn two studies (NStudy 1a = 104, NStudy 1b = 191), we derived dimensions of mate preferences through exploratory factor analyses. In subsequent studies (NStudy 2 = 219, NStudy 3 = 101), we employed a budget allocation paradigm, where participants designed their ideal mates for different relationship types (short-term, long-term, and mistress relationships).ResultsWhereas men focused on fulfilling short-term mating ideals (by prioritizing physical attractiveness) in a mistress relationship, women focused on fulfilling long-term (but also some short-term) mating ideals (prioritizing both physical attractiveness and social status) for a mistress relationship.ConclusionFindings indicate that mistress relationships reflect a compromise of men's and women's (conflicting) mating ideals and contribute to an understanding of relationships that are neither completely short- nor long-term in nature.

Keywords

evolutionary psychology, infidelity, mate preferences, mistresses, sex differences

Discipline

Applied Behavior Analysis | Experimental Analysis of Behavior | Social Psychology

Research Areas

Psychology

Publication

Journal of Personality

First Page

1

Last Page

17

ISSN

0022-3506

Identifier

10.1111/jopy.12734

Publisher

Wiley

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12734

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