Self-perceived mate value influences intrasexual competitiveness attitudes in young people of both sexes

Abstract

Individuals vary in their intrasexual competitiveness attitude, i.e., an important variable reflecting the potential threat or the extent to which one perceives other individuals of the same sex as social or mating rivals. In this study, we investigated the relationship between self-perceived mate value, a construct usually linked to intersexual selection, and intrasexual competitiveness attitude. We postulated that those psychological traits that increase mate value are related to psychological traits underlying intrasexual competitiveness attitude. The results obtained from a sample of 711 young participants of both sexes (M = 16.93 years ± SD = 0.86) indicated that mate value was positively related to intrasexual competitiveness attitude. Specifically, the subscales of Fear of Failure, Wealth, and Looks were positive predictors of intrasexual competitiveness attitude. Moreover, the Looks subscale was more relevant in determining intrasexual competitiveness attitude in women than in men. These three subscales were part of the same factorial structure that appears to be indicative of a self-promoting strategy based on the ostentation of traits through attitudes. As a conclusion, we argue that the individual differences in intrasexual competitiveness attitudes are associated with the differences in psychological features usually associated with intersexual selection.

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“…A previous study reported that looks was more important to female intrasexual competition attitudes than in male competition (Polo, Munoz-Reyes, Tapia, Wilson & Turiégano, 2019). We found that along with intrasexual competition, mate value also positively predicted makeup usage.…”

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“…Beyond the general tendency of men to be more competitive than women, irrespective of their opponents' precise person characteristics, men also tend to score higher than women on intrasexual competition, which focuses on competition with same-sex rivals (Baker and Maner, 2009;Benenson and Abadzi, 2020;Otterbring et al, 2018) and can be defined as competition between members of the same sex to gain reproductive access to, and attract the opposite sex (Harris et al, 2019;Muñoz-Reyes et al, 2012;Polo et al, 2019). Therefore, we hypothesize: H2.…”

“Death and Love Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic”: Effects of Pathogen Threats on Online Dating and Social Distancing From Life-History Strategy Perspectives

“…There is a study that found a positive correlation between intrasexual competitiveness and fear of romantic failure in both men and women (Polo et al, 2019). Studies…”

“…There is a study that found a positive correlation between intrasexual competitiveness and fear of romantic failure in both men and women (Polo et al, 2019). Studies have not yet tested the role of intersexual competition for mates in mitigating the effects of violent threats on social and psychological distance.…”