How do people choose their partners?

Mate Selection Theories

Mate Selection Theories

Social Homogamy Ideal Mate Theory Developmental Perspective Evolutionary Psychology Social Exchange Theory Filter Theory

Social Homogamy

People are attracted to those from similar backgrounds.

Areas of similarity: Age, race, ethnic background, socioeconomic status, political views, religion, similar appearance status, proximity (live nearby).

Similarities ensure that couples will manage their shared resources more efficiently and with less conflict.

Best explains arranged marriages Parents seek out a partner who is similar to their son/daughter

Ideal Mate Theory

Attraction is based on an individual’s unconscious image of the ideal partner. This is based on their perceptions of the meaning of certain physical characteristics and social status.

People assess their resources (attractiveness, wealth, personality, and social status) and look for a mate who will be attracted to these resources and/or traits.

…Ideal Mate (continued)

Most will find a mate in society because individuals are attracted to different people. We don’t all find the same things attractive.

Supports the idea of “love at first sight,” since everyone has an unconscious ideal with which they compare a person to find him/her attractive. This helps them make the immediate comparison or judgement of a person as loveable or unloveable.

Developmental Perspective

Individuals are unable to relate to someone else without first understanding who they are and what their roles in life are.

They must understand what they have to offer another person and what they want or need in return.

If they don’t have a sense of who they are (their identity) prior to forming romantic relationships, the relationship defines their identity.

Evolutionary Psychology

In prehistoric times, mate selection was based on reproduction and the ability to procreate future generations.

Women preferred men who would be good fathers and providers for their children. Sought out men who were healthy, intelligent, well-educated,

hard-working, and ambitious.

Men preferred women who could bear healthy babies, feed their kids, and were intelligent and well-tempered to raise them. Sought out women who were attractive, young, healthy, had

wider hips than their waist (a sign of fertility).

Social Exchange Theory

Individuals will analyze their assets and deficits (flaws).

They will look for a partner who balances their assets and deficits.

They will seek to get ahead or to move up through successful mate selection.

Best explains marriages of older, wealthier men/women with young, attractive men/women.

Murstein’s Filter Theory

Explained the relationship among dating, social homogamy, and social exchange as a multi-step process.

He uses the analogy of ‘sifting’ to suggest that individuals pass their dates through a series of ‘filters’ to screen out unacceptable marriage partners.

Sternberg’s Love Triangle

Intimacy

PassionCommitme

nt

Intimacy

Emotional side of a relationship Closeness Sharing Support Communication

Increases steadily throughout a relationship – eventually levels out

Intimacy

Passion

Motivational part of a relationship Leads to physiological arousal An intense desire Develops quickly

Passion

Commitment

Cognitive side of a relationship Short-term decision to love Long-term decision to maintain that love

Grows and develops Non-existent when a relationship fizzles

outCommitment

Sternberg’s Love Triangle

The AREA and SHAPE of the triangle indicates the amount and form of love

Intimacy

Passion

Commitment

I

P C

Friendship

Companionate

Empty

Fatuous

Romantic

Infatuated

Consummate

Non-Love

• Absence of all three components• Describes the majority of our

personal relationships

Non-Love

• Refers to the feelings experienced in true friendships

Friendship

I

• The “love at first sight” feeling• High degree of physiological

arousal

Infatuated Love

P

• When a relationship has become dull• Typical of arranged marriages – at the

start

Empty Love

C

• Physical attraction paired with an intimate relationship

• Typical of affairs since there’s no commitment

Romantic Love

I

P

• Hollywood Love • Relationship progresses quickly• Very little long-term success

Fatuous Love

P C

• Describes a long-term friendship/union that lacks any physical attraction

• Seen in lengthy marriages

Companionate Love

I

C

• The goal of many couples• Difficult, but not impossible, to attain• Challenging to maintain it

Consummate Love

I

P C

Lee’s Styles of LovingAnother perspective on Love

Styles of Loving

Companionate Romantic Altruistic Egotistic Manic Pragmatic

Companionat

e

Rooted in long-term friendship and loyalty

Evolves gradually towards love Stable, non-demanding, committed,

and trusting Opposite of manic love

Romantic

An intense desire to care for their partner

Strong, physical connection Desire to be inseparable

Egotistic

Self-serving love More interested in the “game” of love May engage in several relationships

simultaneously Goal is to get partner hooked without

investing your own emotions into the relationship

Altruisti

c

Places partner’s needs above their own

May pass up better relationships rather than abandon a bad one

Opposite of egotistic love

Manic

An irrational, crazy passion Possessive and clingy Intense to the point of being all

consuming

Pragmati

c

A rational, practical, logical choice in partner

Lacks emotional intensity Involves a careful evaluation of their

qualities with your own

Do’s and Don’ts of the Assignment

Do not title your assignment, “Want Ad Assignment.” Be creative with a catchy title or question to peak the interest of your readers.

There should be more than one paragraph for each of your advertisement and your analysis. One huge paragraph is difficult to read. Consider what you are including in each paragraph.

Do not list your qualities with commas. Elaborate on each of your qualities with an example or a “for instance.”

Be creative with your font. Times new roman isn’t very interesting. You may use more than one theory, but be specific in your analysis with how

each theory applies. Also, you must discuss two theories if two are evident in your advertisement.

Do NOT put your name or any identifying information on the front of your ad. Do NOT use your real cell number or email address. Put your name on the back only.

Analysis Layout

Introduction – include theory of mate selection, form of love, and style of loving

Theory of Mate Selection – include a brief description of the theory (in your own words), and several quotations from your advertisement to support your theory

Form of Love (Sternberg) – brief description of the form (in your own words), and support from your advertisement

Style of Loving (Lee) – brief description of the style of love (in your own words), and support from your advertisement

Supporting Your Analysis

Example:

In my relationship advertisement, I indicate that, “I am honest to the point where sometimes I come across blunt and rude. This trait needs to be appreciated by someone who won’t be overly sensitive and who might retort with similar bluntness.” This specifically relates to Social Homogamy, a theory of mate selection, in which people look for others who display similar personality traits. Furthermore, I go on to say that…

SUCCESS CRITERIA

PLEASE ATTACH THIS ASSIGNMENT SHEET TO YOUR FINISHED PRODUCT WHEN SUBMITTING FOR MARKING

/1 Your gender and gender you are seeking /5 Qualities/personality traits you possess/5 Qualities you seek in a partner /5 Creativity and presentation/1 Type of relationship you seek /20 Analysis – Theory of Mate Selection/5 Spelling/grammar conventions

/10 Analysis – Form of Love (Sternberg) /10 Analysis – Style of Loving (Lee)