Mate Preference refers to how one person chooses a partner to mate. Preference covers many factors such as economic status, job stability, and physical features.
Mate preference rely on a persons cognition and emotional state. The factors covering mate preference are the cognition of the various factors desired in a partner and these cognitions have clear links to the emotion of the person.
Although both sexes share common preferences, there are also differences. A study by Shackleford, Schmitt, & Buss, finds that men rate physical attractiveness in a mate higher than how women will rate it. Women value good financial prospects in a partner more than men do.
Another study also by Shackleford, Schmitt, & Buss cites four dimensions that can predict the compatibility of two persons based on their mate preference. 9,800 people were surveyed across the world for this study. The four are:
- Love vs. Status/Resources — compromising between a loving relationship and adequate resources and status
- Dependable/Stable vs. Good Looks/Health — choosing between an emotionally stable partner and one that is physically attractive
- Education/Intelligence vs. Desire for Home/Children — trade-off between educational factors and domestic factors such as having kids and chastity
- Sociability vs. Same Religion — compromise between having a sociable partner and a partner that is religiously similar or compatible.
