Variable preferences for sexual dimorphism in stature (SDS): Further evidence for an adjustment in relation to own height

Fink, Bernhard; Neave, Nick; Brewer, Gayle; Pawłowski, Bogusław

doi:10.1016/j.paid.2007.07.014

Cited by 70 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Our findings show that preferred height differences are different in these populations compared to previous reports on Western populations (Courtiol, Raymond, et al, 2010;Fink et al, 2007;Pawlowski, 2003;Shepperd and Strathman, 1989;Stulp, Buunk, Pollet, Nettle, et al, 2013;Stulp, Buunk, Verhulst, et al, 2013).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 72%

Body Height Preferences and Actual Dimorphism in Stature between Partners in Two Non-Western Societies (Hadza and Tsimane')

et al. 2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Body height influences human mate preferences and choice. A typical finding in Western societies is that women prefer men who are taller than themselves and, equivalently, men prefer women who are shorter than themselves. However, recent reports in non-Western societies (e.g., the Himba in Namibia) challenge the view on the universality of such preferences. Here we report on male and female height preferences in two non-Western populations-the Hadza (Tanzania) and the Tsimane' (Bolivia)-and the relationships between body height preferences and the height of actual partners. In the Hadza, most individuals preferred a sexual dimorphism in stature (SDS) with the man being much taller than the woman. Preferences for SDS and actual partner SDS were positively and significantly correlated in both men and women, suggesting that people who preferred larger height differences also had larger height differences with their partners. In the Tsimane', the majority of men preferred an SDS with the man being taller than the woman, but women did not show such a preference. Unlike in the Hadza, SDS preference was not significantly correlated to actual partner SDS. We conclude that patterns of height preferences and choices in the Hadza and Tsimane' are different than those observed in Western societies, and discuss possible causes for the observed differences between nonWestern and Western societies. Hadza and Tsimane' SDS choice and preferences in

show abstract

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 72%

Body Height Preferences and Actual Dimorphism in Stature between Partners in Two Non-Western Societies (Hadza and Tsimane')

et al. 2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…That is, most heterosexual women prefer tall men, and men and women both generally prefer to be in relationships where the man is taller (Belot and Fidrmuc 2010;Fink et al 2007;Pawlowski 2003;Pierce 1996). We take advantage of generalizable height preferences and coupling norms to conceptualize men's height as an aspect of their attractiveness in the U.S.…”

Section: Height Attractiveness and Masculine Statusmentioning

confidence: 99%

From Assortative to Ashortative Coupling: Men's Height, Height Heterogamy, and Relationship Dynamics in the United States

Weitzman

Conley

2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Studies of online dating suggest that physical attraction is a key factor in early relationship formation, but say little about the role of attractiveness in longer-term relationships. Meanwhile, assortative coupling and exchange models widely employed in demographic research overlook the powerful sorting function of initial and sustained physical attraction. This article observes the effects of one physical characteristic of men-height-on various relationship outcomes in longer-term relationships, including spouses' attributes, marriage entry and stability, and the division of household labor. Drawing on two different cohorts from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, the authors show that (1) height-coupling norms have changed little over the last three decades, (2) short, average, and tall men's spouses are qualitatively different from one another (3) short men marry and divorce at lower rates than others and (4) both men's height relative to other men and their height relative to their spouse are related to the within-couple distribution of household labor and earnings. These findings depict an enduring height hierarchy among men on in the spousal marriage market. Further, they indicate that at least one physical characteristic commonly associated with physical attraction influences the formation, functioning, and stability of longer-term relationships.

show abstract

“…Several studies to date have examined the relationship between one's own height and the height of a preferred partner (sexual dimorphism in stature [SDS]; Fink, Neave, Brewer, & Pawlowski, 2007;Pawlowski, 2003;Sorokowski, Sorokowska, Fink, & Mberira, 2011). Pawlowski (2003) was the first to test preferences for SDS using drawings of six partner pairs with varying SDS ratios (ranging from an SDS of 1.19, representing a man that is much taller than a woman, to an SDS of 0.96, representing a woman that a slightly taller than a man).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pawlowski (2003) replicated and extended previous results on ideal partner's height that suggested the existence of a 'taller-male norm' in Poland. Fink et al (2007) Austria, and the UK. However, some research conducted among traditional ethnic groups in Papua New Guinea (Sorokowski & Sorokowska, 2012) and Tanzania (Sorokowski & Butovskaya, 2012) showed that the taller-male norm is not a culturally universal criterion in mate choice.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of dominance on partner’s height preferences and height-related mate choices

Sorokowski

Sabiniewicz

Sorokowska

2015

Personality and Individual Differences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Variable preferences for sexual dimorphism in stature (SDS): Further evidence for an adjustment in relation to own height

Cited by 70 publications

References 32 publications

Body Height Preferences and Actual Dimorphism in Stature between Partners in Two Non-Western Societies (Hadza and Tsimane')

Body Height Preferences and Actual Dimorphism in Stature between Partners in Two Non-Western Societies (Hadza and Tsimane')

From Assortative to Ashortative Coupling: Men's Height, Height Heterogamy, and Relationship Dynamics in the United States

The impact of dominance on partner’s height preferences and height-related mate choices

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About