Evolutionary and Socio-cultural Factors in Human Mate Preferences

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Evolutionary and Socio-cultural Factors in Human Mate Preferences

Introduction

Human mate choice is well-thought and informed. Given an option between a caring healthy and a diseased inhumane partner, majority would opt for the former over the later. For this reason, these preferences inform who a person is attracted to, who they share their special moments with and who they invite into their lives. Mate-choices influence how people choose companions: who they live with and obtain assistance from; and for some, with whom they start relations with, raising children. Mating preferences determine whether a person will experience success or failures, which is important in highlighting qualities they will focus on when selecting prospective partners (Khallad, 2005). As a result of this massive significance, it is fitting that assertive mating has become a core in evolutionary psychological studies. This paper utilizes an understanding of what preferences are and what they are like, to explain how evolutionary and socio-cultural factors determine human mate selection.

Physical attractiveness

Physical attractiveness is among the evolutionary and social-cultural factors that influence mating preferences. Good looks, family orientation, understanding, kindness, intelligence, and sense of humor are characteristics that people consider desirable in a mate (Conway & Schaller, 2002). Various researchers argue that people rank these traits higher than good looks; however, ranking of qualities may not reflect the way people make their mating decisions (Lewis et al., 2017). Physical attributes serve as a gatekeeper that direct people towards feasible mates who are fit, age-appropriate, and capable of reproduction. During the mating decision-making process, other researchers believe that physical appearance dominates; hence people pursue relationships with those they find appealing (Buss, 1989). Males seem to appreciate physical attractiveness during mating selection compared to females consciously; however, experimental studies on online dating sites indicate that it is popular between men and women (Marzoli et al., 2013). Physical attractiveness tends to be more underlined in mating preferences than traits such as intelligence and character.

The human mind responds to physical characteristics such as medium-large breasts, long legs and narrow waist as they are important factors that help in the selection of potential mate, particularly in male’s evaluations of females. According to Conway and Schaller (2002), researches show that people regard women with low waist-to-hip (WHR) ratio as more appealing and have significant success in reproductive success. Women with at least 0.7 WHR have been rated have higher reproductive value, better health, and are more attractive (Lewis et al., 2017). In a follow-up study, Nongkynrih (2016) examined the WHR concerning breast size and the role both play in establishing personal traits and appeal for romantic relationships. Majority of males find women with high WHR as older-looking and less attractive, a character not consistent with reproductive success (Gustavsson et al., 2018). All of this shows that low, as opposed to high, WHR play an important role in determining understanding, kindness, good health and attractiveness, hence influencing mating selection.

In a couple's dynamics, the person who look in a certain weight is preferred, but these preferences vary from one person to another. For that reason, in assortative mating, both men and women often want to understand what to expect from their partners, especially concerning physical outlook and responsibility as it is imperative in building a family (Creanza et al., 2017). Life is full of uncertainties; hence people need reassurance that they can rely on the support of their partners when a need arises. A study by Economic Times postulates that relationship experts’ advice persons to share their expectations with their potential mates and discover whether their predictions of the future correlate (Little et al., 2017). Finances are among the factors that stress causative factors in a relationship; for that reason, people prefer partners who complement their monetary status.