Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

It is not all about the Benjamins: Understanding preferences for mates with resources

2011; Elsevier BV; Volume: 52; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.paid.2011.10.032

1873-3549

Peter K. Jonason, Norman P. Li, Laura Madson,

Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification

We contend that preferences for mates with resources or money might be calibrated on where a potential mate gets her/his money. In three studies (N = 668) we examined the nature of individuals' preferences for mates who have resources or money. Both sexes preferred a long-term mate who has earned her/his money over other sources. In particular, women preferred mates who earned their money over other potential means of getting resources (i.e., inheritance, embezzlement, and windfall). Women maintained a high level of interest in mates who earned their money regardless of duration of the mateship whereas men became less interested in a mate who earned her money in the context of short-term relationships. Overall, the sexes preferred a mate who earned their money more strongly in the long-term than the short-term context. Results are discussed from evolutionary and sociocultural models of mate preferences.