Testing evolutionary and cultural theories regarding mate selection in Turkey

Abstract

Most studies on mate selection criteria have focused on women and rely on Western samples. In the present study, we tested both women's and men's mate preferences from evolutionary and cultural perspectives in a large, mostly Muslim sample (N = 1114). Results showed that (1) the relation between women's families' income level and the income level they prefer in their potential mates is inconsistent with the cultural similarity hypothesis; (2) women place more importance on intelligence (i.e., good genes-mental), willingness to provide (i.e., good father) and ability to provide (i.e., good provider) in their potential mates, whereas men place more importance on physical attractiveness (good genes-physical); (3) in contrast to some previous findings, the importance of “willingness to provide” was negatively related to socio-economic status but positively related to religiosity; (4) “willingness to provide” properties were the most important preference criteria for women; and finally (5) as perceived attractiveness of the self increased, both women and men became more stringent in their criteria. Taken as a whole, the findings are consistent with an evolutionary approach to mate selection.