Sex, Sexual Orientation, and the Necessity of Physical Attractiveness and Social Level in Long-Term and Short-Term Mates

Abstract

In comparison to biological sex differences and mate preferences, differences in sexual orientation and mate preferences have received limited attention in the literature. The aim of the current experiment was to explore the relationship between biological sex and sexual orientation on the necessity of a longterm and short-term mate's physical attractiveness and social level. Three hundred and seven participants recruited from an Australian university and the wider community completed an online questionnaire assessing necessities of mate characteristics. Results of independent-measures ANOVAS showed that heterosexual men considered a long-term mate's physical attractiveness significantly more of a necessity than heterosexual women. Additionally, individuals of a homosexual sexual orientation considered the social level of a longterm mate significantly more of a necessity than individuals with a heterosexual sexual orientation, but not individuals of a bisexual sexual orientation. Finally, results showed that individuals of a heterosexual sexual orientation considered the physical attractiveness of a short-term mate significantly more of a necessity than did individuals of a homosexual sexual orientation and individuals of a bisexual sexual orientation. Results of the current study suggest research should not just assume equivalence of mate preferences between individuals of differing sexual orientations.

Netflix and Chill? What Sex Differences Can Tell Us About Mate Preferences in (Hypothetical) Booty-Call Relationships

“…Although the mating strategies of homosexual and heterosexual men and women are not considered to differ ( Symons, 1979 ), some research has shown differences in mate preferences for homosexual and heterosexual women ( Bailey, Gaulin, Agyei, & Gladue, 1994 ). As such, although homosexual men’s and women’s mate preferences may be fundamentally similar to their heterosexual counterparts, this similarity should not be assumed ( March, Grieve, & Marx, 2014 ). Future research would benefit from exploring mate preferences of individuals other than those with a heterosexual orientation in these relationship paradigms (i.e., booty calls, friends with benefits, and fuck buddies).…”

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“…Finally, it would also be prudent to establish the effects of gender roles and SES on short‐term mate preferences for men and women of differing sexual orientations. Recent studies (e.g., March, Grieve, & Marx, ) have shown that mate preferences for men and women of heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual orientations differ, and as such should not just be assumed to be equivalent.…”

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