Measuring self-perceived mate value

• Main Authors: TAUSCZIK, Yla R., LI, Norman P., CASON, Margaret J.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2008
• Subjects: Gender and Sexuality; Social Psychology
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/663
• Institution: Singapore Management University

The nature and quantity of mating opportunities available to an individual are affected by his or her value as a potential mate. Therefore, self-perceived mate value may guide an individual's reproductive strategy. In a study of men, self-perceived mate value predicted mating effort (Apicella & Marlowe, 2007). Another study of women showed that mate preferences changed based on self-perceived attractiveness (Little et. al., 2001). Also, self-perceived mate value predicted aggression in sexual competition context (Kirkpatrick et. al., 2002). However, scales used in past studies have consisted of few questions and may only elicit one aspect of mate value, such as physical attractiveness. We have developed a two-factor scale to measure self-perceived mate value. Using this scale, we examined the relationship between self-perceived mate value and various measures, including physical measurements, mate preference priorities, self-esteem, sociosexual orientation, and mating history.