UC Santa Barbara

Is it an individual’s gender, the gender of their target, or both that drives these classic, well-documented differences in individuals’ mate preferences? The current study consisted of two studies that explored this question using the under-utilized community of biromantic individuals, who provide a unique opportunity to separate the influences of an individual’s gender from the gender of their potential mate. Study 1 utilized a 3x2 ANOVA research design and a sample of 147 biromantic participants, the researchers found support for their hypothesis that participants will have different ratings for mate preference traits, depending on the gender of the target in question. Regardless of the participant’s gender, they tended to prefer kinder, more physically attractive, and younger female mates, in comparison with male mates. Study 2 utilized a 2x2 ANOVA research design and a sample of 439 biromantic participants, finding partial support for the hypothesis, with the gender of the participant, the gender of the target, and the interaction between both variables showing significant effects on the ratings of some preference traits, but not others. Participants, regardless of their gender wanted healthier, more generous, more considerate, more financially stable and with a higher earning potential in male targets in comparison to female targets. Additionally, male participants wanted targets to have more attractive faces and bodies in comparison to female targets, while female participants did not show this preference. Finally, female participants wanted more intelligent and knowledgeable male targets in comparison to female targets, while male participants wanted more intelligent and knowledgeable female targets in comparison to male targets