Similarity and Complementarity in Mate Selection

Authors

Jill Alesch, University of Northern Iowa
Erin Dick, University of Northern IowaFollow
Lance Jenkins, University of Northern Iowa
Phil Sorensen, University of Northern Iowa
Helen Harton, University of Northern IowaFollow

Document Type

Research Paper

Abstract

We examined the importance of similarity vs. complementarity in mate selection. In a 30- question survey, 95 participants rated themselves, their current partner (if applicable), and their ideal mate on 10 traits and values. Individuals ranked the most important traits to them in each category. We found that ideally, people desire a mate similar to them. In reality, people dated others who were not similar to them.

Publication Date

1999

Journal Title

Conference Proceedings: Undergraduate Social Science Research Conference

Volume

3

Issue

1

First Page

1

Last Page

5

Copyright

©1999 by the University of Northern Iowa

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Publisher

University of Northern Iowa

City

Cedar Falls, IA

Recommended Citation

Alesch, Jill; Dick, Erin; Jenkins, Lance; Sorensen, Phil; and Harton, Helen (1999) "Similarity and Complementarity in Mate Selection," Conference Proceedings: Undergraduate Social Science Research Conference: Vol. 3: Iss. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/csbsproceedings/vol3/iss1/4