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Discuss the roles of evolutionary, sociocultural, and other contextual factors in

determining human mate preferences.

Mate preferences received a lot of attention in the recent decades due to their importance in

sexual selection, which plays a key role in human evolution (Zietsch, B. P et al., 2012).

Individuals tend to choose partners who possess certain likable traits. Some examples of such

traits are intelligence, attractiveness and certain skills (Buss, D. M. 1989). There are many

theories on the domain of human mating. One of those is Freud who proposed that people

seek mates who resemble their opposite sex parents (Buss, D. M., & Schmitt, D. P. 2019).

For this instance, individuals’ tend to be drawn to a partner who treats them like their

opposite sex parents where they feel secured and loved the same way the parents make them

feel (Buss, D. M., & Schmitt, D. P. 2019). Another example will be Winch who proposed that
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people seek mates who possess the qualities that they lack in themselves (Buss, D. M., &

Schmitt, D. P. 2019). For this instance, individuals’ tend to be drawn to partners who has the

particular qualities that the individual lacks to make them feel completed. (Buss, D. M., &

Schmitt, D. P. 2019). These preferences are believed to have evolved as a result of natural

selection to maximize reproductive success and ensure the survival of offspring.

During the process of evolution, individuals with higher desired qualities have a higher

mating advantage as compared to individuals who have lower desired qualities (Buss, D. M.,

& Schmitt, D. P. 2019). Many evolutionary psychology studies have addressed the topic of

mate preferences focusing mainly on gender and cultural factors (Marzoli D et al., 2013).

Individual’s mate preferences show some similarities across different cultures, both sexes

preferring partners who are intelligent, kind, understanding and healthy, and that share their

values (Marzoli D et al., 2013). However, women and men faced rather different selection

pressures during human evolution. (Marzoli D et al., 2013).

This essay discusses the roles of evolutionary, sociocultural, and other contextual factors in

determining human mate preferences. Currently, the evolutionary theories and sociocultural

theories are the two theoretical framework that provide more in-depth knowledge into the

proximate factors which related to the mate selection process. These factors play a

significant role in shaping the characteristics of an individuals to find their attractive

potential mates. Five predictions were made about sex differences in human mate

preferences based on evolutionary conceptions of parental investment, sexual selection,

human reproductive capacity, and sexual asymmetries regarding certainty of paternity versus

maternity (Buss, D. M. 1989). Results from the research in which 37 samples were used from

33 countries show that females were found to value cues to resource acquisition in potential
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mates more highly than males (Buss, D. M. 1989). The research also showed that

characteristics signalling reproductive capacity were valued more by males than by females

(Buss, D. M. 1989). However, Research has consistently shown that women's mate

preferences can vary throughout their reproductive cycle, particularly during the ovulatory

phase (Gangestad et al., 2007). During this phase, women may exhibit distinct behavioural

and physiological changes that influence their mate preferences.

During the fertile phase, women tend to exhibit a greater attraction towards masculine traits

in potential mates (Gangestad et al., 2007). These traits often include physical strength,

dominance, and symmetrical facial features such as strong jawline, muscular physique, and

facial symmetry. This shift towards masculinity might be an adaptive strategy driven by

evolutionary forces. Research suggests that these preferences may be driven by an

evolutionary instinct to select mates with high genetic quality and the ability to provide

offspring with good health and survival advantages (Gangestad et al., 2007). Conversely,

during non-fertile phases of the menstrual cycle, women tend to show a preference for more

nurturing and reliable characteristics in potential partners (Gangestad et al., 2007). This shift

in mate preferences may reflect a desire for stable long-term relationships and investment in

offspring care (Gangestad et al., 2007). It is believed that during ovulation, women are

biologically wired to seek partners who possess genes associated with good health and high

fertility. Masculine features are often indicative of these qualities, as they suggest

reproductive success. The observed changes in women's mate preferences across the

ovulatory cycle have significant implications for understanding human mating behaviour

and its evolution. These shifts in preferences suggest that women may be adapting their

choices to maximize reproductive success during different phases of their menstrual cycle.
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Sociocultural factors play a significant role in shaping mate preferences as well. Cultural

norms, values, and socialization processes influence what individuals find attractive in

potential partners (Karandashev et al., 2020). For example, in societies where arranged

marriages are common, mate preferences may be influenced by family and community

expectations rather than personal choice. Media and popular culture also play a role in

shaping mate preferences. Images portrayed in movies, television shows, and advertisements

often reinforce certain beauty standards and idealized notions of romance. These influences

can shape individuals' perceptions of attractiveness and influence their mate preferences

(Karandashev et al., 2020).

Other factors can also influence mate preferences. These factors include personal

experiences, individual differences, and situational factors (Karandashev et al., 2020).

Personal experiences, such as past relationships or parental influences, can shape an

individual's preferences for certain traits or characteristics in a partner. Individual differences,

such as personality traits and attachment styles, can also influence mate preferences. For

example, individuals with a high need for affiliation may prioritize warmth and emotional

intimacy in a partner, while those with a high need for achievement may prioritize ambition

and success. Situational factors, such as proximity and availability, can also impact mate

preferences. People are more likely to form relationships with individuals they come into

contact with frequently or who are geographically close to them.

Physical proximity is defined as the physical nearness or psychologically creates chance for

two people meet each other. It is one of the factor that affecting human mate preferences that

bring two person the male and female interacting or placed themselves closer to a liked

person (Jonason et al., 2017). Physical proximity plays a pivotal role in shaping initial
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attraction between potential mates (Jonason et al., 2017). Research has consistently shown

that individuals are more likely to develop romantic interest in people they encounter

frequently or are physically close to. This phenomenon, known as the mere exposure effect,

suggests that familiarity breeds attraction. When individuals are in close proximity, they

have increased opportunities for interaction and observation, allowing them to gather more

information about each other's physical appearance, behaviour, and personality traits

(Jonason et al., 2017). Moreover, physical proximity facilitates nonverbal communication

cues such as body language and scent, which heavily influence initial attraction. Hence, the

study of mate preferences and physical proximity reveals a complex interplay between

human psychology, societal norms, and evolutionary biology.

References:

Zietsch, B. P., Verweij, K. J. H., & Burri, A. V. (2012). Heritability of preferences for
multiple cues of mate qaulity in humans: Heritability of Human Mate preferences. Evolution,
66(6), 1762–1772. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1558-5646.2011.01546.x

Buss, D. M. (1989). Sex differences in human mate preferences: Evolutionary hypotheses

tested in 37 cultures. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 12(1), 1–14.
http://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X00023992

Buss, D. M., & Schmitt, D. P. (2019). Mate preferences and their behavioural
manifestations. Annual review of psychology, 70, 77-110.
https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/full/10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-103408

Marzoli D, Moretto F, Monti A, Tocci O, Roberts SC, et al. (2013) Environmental

Influences on Mate Preferences as Assessed by a Scenario Manipulation Experiment.
Environmental Influences on Mate Preferences https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?
id=10.1371/journal.pone.0074282&type=printable
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Gangestad, S. W., Garver-Apgar, C. E., Simpson, J. A., & Cousins, A. J. (2007). Changes in
Women’s Mate Preferences Across the Ovulatory Cycle. Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology, 92(1), 151–163. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.92.1.151

Karandashev, V., Zarubko, E., Artemeva, V., Evans, M., Morgan, K. A. D., Neto, F.,
Feybesse, C., Surmanidze, L., & Purvis, J. (2020). Cross-Cultural Comparison of Sensory
Preferences in Romantic Attraction. Sexuality & Culture, 24(1), 23–53.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-019-09628-0

Jonason, P. K., Nolland, M., & Tyler, M. D. (2017). Incorporating geographic distance into
mate preference research: Necessities and luxuries, 2.0. Personal Relationships, 24(3), 585–
597. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12199

Bereczkei, T., Varos, S., Gal, A., & Bernath, L. (1997). Resources, attractiveness, family
commitment; reproduction decisions in Human Mate Choice. Ethology, 103(8), 681-
699. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1439-0310.1997.tb00178.x?
casa_token=vJIBLAY4nTAAAAAA:PeG3hZUTogiwiedBrChzzc6oCoUslRX6bgDzE
Gl1dqLfvxyuO2u5Sjy2pvmf1dkdKGeJi5EXvU38lS_W
Bereczkei, T., Varos, S., Gal, A., & Bernath, L. (1997). Resources, attractiveness, family
commitment; reproduction decisions in Human Mate Choice. Ethology, 103(8), 681-
699. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1439-0310.1997.tb00178.x?
casa_token=vJIBLAY4nTAAAAAA:PeG3hZUTogiwiedBrChzzc6oCoUslRX6bgDzE
Gl1dqLfvxyuO2u5Sjy2pvmf1dkdKGeJi5EXvU38lS_W
Bereczkei, T., Varos, S., Gal, A., & Bernath, L. (1997). Resources, attractiveness, family
commitment; reproduction decisions in Human Mate Choice. Ethology, 103(8), 681-699.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1439-0310.1997.tb00178.x?
casa_token=vJIBLAY4nTAAAAAA:PeG3hZUTogiwiedBrChzzc6oCoUslRX6bgDzEGl1dq
LfvxyuO2u5Sjy2pvmf1dkdKGeJi5EXvU38lS_W