Effects of attractiveness and status in dating desire in homosexual and heterosexual men and women

Intersexual and Intrasexual Differences in Mate Selection Preferences Among Lesbian Women, Gay Men, and Bisexual Women and Men

Sex differences in mating strategies and partner preferences are well established. However, most research solely focused on heterosexual women and men. We examined the mate selection, marriage, and age preferences of a sample of lesbian women, gay men, and bisexual women and men (LGB) who took part in an online dating survey. Additionally, we analyzed inter- and intrasexual differences in these preferences. A total of 710 participants rated the importance of 82 mate selection criteria and 10 marriage criteria, and they also indicated their age preferences and short-term and long-term relationship orientation. An exploratory factor analysis suggested 11 relevant domains of mate selection in the LGB sample, with sex, age, and long-term relationship orientation being relevant predictors of differences in these domains. We compared the LGB data with data collected from 21,245 heterosexual women and men on the same mate selection criteria. Results showed that the participants' sex was the most important predictor of differences in mate selection and marriage preferences, while intrasexual variables (sexual orientation and relationship orientation) explained only a small part of the variance. We incorporated the results into the current discussion about partner preferences and sexual orientation.

Why do queer men experience negative body image? A narrative review and testable stigma model

Queer men (i.e., men who are not heterosexual; sexual minority men) are disproportionately affected by negative body image - they experience greater body dissatisfaction are more likely to develop eating disorders than heterosexual men. While existing literature has examined individual-level predictors of negative body image for queer men, less is known about why queer men as a group are disproportionately affected by negative body image. By synthesising existing theoretical frameworks, research, policy, and media reporting, this narrative review moves towards an understanding of systemic-level negative body image for queer men. Through the lens of hegemonic masculinity, we explain how systemic experiences of stigma work to inform unattainable appearance standards for queer men, and how these standards then contribute to pervasive negative body image concerns among this community. Next, we describe how systemic stigma works to exacerbate negative health outcomes for queer men with body image concerns. Finally, we present a synthesized model of the processes outlined in this review, articulate testable predictions for future studies, and describe practical implications that could be widely employed to improve body image for queer men. Our review is the first to propose a comprehensive explanation of systemic negative body image for queer men.

Penalized for Challenging Traditional Gender Roles: Why Heterosexual Relationships in Which Women Wear the Pants May Be More Precarious

There is growing evidence that heterosexual relationships in which traditional gender roles are reversed because women have attained higher societal status than their male partner are more precarious. We argue that this is the case because both partners in role-reversed relationships are evaluated more negatively than partners in more egalitarian or traditional gender role relationships. In two experimental studies conducted in the United States (N = 223) and the Netherlands (N = 269), we found that when encountering role-reversed relationships, participants perceive the woman as the more dominant and agentic one and the man as the weaker one in the relationship. They also perceive women in role-reversed relationships as less likeable, have less respect for men in role-reversed relationships, and expect that such relationships are less satisfying. In addition, in a third partner study (N = 94 heterosexual couples), we found that both male and female partners in role-reversed relationships considered the man to be the weaker one and the woman to be the more dominant one. Moreover, perceiving the man as the weaker one predicted lower relationship satisfaction in role-reversed couples. Overall, this research indicates that gender stereotypes about heterosexual relationships should be considered in efforts to achieve gender equity.

Twinks, Jocks, and Bears, Oh My! Differing subcultural appearance identifications among gay men and their associated eating disorder psychopathology

Gay men have increased risk of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating compared to heterosexual men, and it is unclear what differentiates their risk for thinness- and muscularity-oriented eating psychopathology. Differing subcultural appearance identifications (SAIs) among gay men are one potential factor that may relate to varied eating psychopathology, but this has not been studied. We examined gay men's SAIs: twinks, jocks, and bears; any "other" self-identified SAI; or no SAI, as well as the relationship between men's SAIs and traditional eating psychopathology and unhealthy dieting (both facets of thinness-oriented psychopathology), and muscularity-oriented psychopathology using univariate ANOVAs controlling for participant age. 264 U.S. gay-identified participants self-reported sexual orientation, SAIs, and eating psychopathology. Self-identified twinks did not report higher traditional eating psychopathology or unhealthy dieting than other SAIs or those without a SAI, as hypothesized. Self-identified twinks, jocks, and bears all reported greater muscularity-oriented eating pathology than those without a SAI. Self-identified jocks also reported higher muscularity-oriented disordered eating than those with an "other" self-identified SAI and bears. Thus, having a SAI may increase risk for disordered eating; specifically, identifying as a twink, jock or bear may confer greater risk for muscularity-oriented eating pathology.

Testing the Mate Preference Priority Model with the Profile-Based Experimental Paradigm: A Replication and Extension

OBJECTIVE

Although the mate preference priority model (MPPM; Li et al., 2002) has advanced our understanding of mate preferences, tests of the MPPM have relied on methods using text labels and thus lack ecological validity. We address this gap by testing the MPPM using Townsend and colleagues' (1990a; 1990b; 1993) profile-based experimental paradigm, which utilizes profiles comprising photos of pre-rated models to manipulate physical attractiveness as well as costumes and descriptions to manipulate social status.

METHOD

Using Singaporean samples, we conducted two studies (Study 1 n = 431, Study 2 n = 964) where participants judged the short-term and long-term mating desirability of opposite-sex profiles varying systematically on physical attractiveness and social status. We also tested whether treating these attributes as ordinal or continuous variables would be more valid.

RESULTS

Results showed broad support for evolutionary predictions of mate preferences and priorities while revealing an increased premium placed on social status in our sample. We also found that continuous operationalizations produced less inflated results.

CONCLUSIONS

The current research provides the first non-label, profile-based test of the MPPM, a well-powered replication of the profile-based paradigm, and an opportunity to observe the robustness and variations of mate preferences in a non-Western culture.

Approach and Avoidance Biases Toward Sexual Stimuli and Their Association with the Dual Control Model of Sexual Response in Heterosexual Men

Many models of human behavior work in an interaction of a dual system. While one system usually represents controlled and reflective behavioral responses, the other system reflects automatic and impulsive actions. In the impulsive system, positive stimuli initiate approach reactions and negative cues avoidance reactions. Besides stimulus valence, the behavioral response triggered by the impulsive system is influenced by personality (e.g., the propensity to react with approach or avoidance biases in a specific situation). The present study applied a computerized Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT; Rinck & Becker, 2007) to assess automatic behavioral approach and avoidance biases toward sexual and neutral stimuli in heterosexual men (N = 40). Individual AAT-performance was furthermore related to sexual excitation (SES) and the two sexual inhibition factors (SIS1 and SIS2) as proposed by the Dual Control Model of sexual response (Bancroft & Janssen, 2000). Against our hypotheses, participants did not show a stronger approach bias toward sexually preferred (i.e., images of women) than sexually not preferred stimuli (i.e., images of men or children). However, stronger approach biases toward images of women were positively associated with sexual excitation and negatively correlated with sexual inhibition due to a threat of performance failure (SIS1) even after controlling for potential confounds (i.e., general behavioral activation and inhibition). The results support the importance of the influence of dispositional traits measured with the Dual Control Model of sexual response on approach and avoidance biases toward sexually preferred stimuli in heterosexual men.

The Impact of Health, Wealth, and Attractiveness on Romantic Evaluation from Photographs of Faces

A large literature suggests that men and women differ in their self-reported mate preferences such that men place greater weight on physical attractiveness than women do, whereas women value financial prospects more than men. Yet, little research has addressed how these differences generalize to other contexts, such as modern online dating in which mate selection may largely depend on visual cues. Distinct from the sex differences observed in previous studies relying on self-reports, we found that men and women both used perceptions of health and attractiveness to select hypothetical partners based on photographs of their faces. Importantly, although people reliably identified others' wealth from their photographs, these perceptions did not influence men's or women's partner selections. Thus, men and women may select romantic partners similarly based on limited visual information.

Predicting sexual coercion in early adulthood: The transaction among maltreatment, gang affiliation, and adolescent socialization of coercive relationship norms

This study tested a transactional hypothesis predicting early adult sexual coercion from family maltreatment, early adolescent gang affiliation, and socialization of adolescent friendships that support coercive relationship norms. The longitudinal study of a community sample of 998 11-year-olds was intensively assessed in early and middle adolescence and followed to 23-24 years of age. At age 16-17 youth were videotaped with a friend, and their interactions were coded for coercive relationship talk. Structural equation modeling revealed that maltreatment predicted gang affiliation during early adolescence. Both maltreatment and gang affiliation strongly predicted adolescent sexual promiscuity and coercive relationship norms with friends at age 16-17 years. Adolescent sexual promiscuity, however, did not predict sexual coercion in early adulthood. In contrast, higher levels of observed coercive relationship talk with a friend predicted sexual coercion in early adulthood for both males and females. These findings suggest that peers have a socialization function in the development of norms prognostic of sexual coercion, and the need to consider peers in the promotion of healthy relationships.

First Semester College Students’ Definitions of and Expectations for Engaging in Hookups

Our study was guided by a developmental lens (emerging adulthood) and the theory of symbolic interaction as we attended to the meanings and definitions that contextualize expectations for engaging in hookups while attending college. Using a directed approach to qualitative content analysis, we examined first semester college men’s and women’s ( N = 253) responses to a series of open-ended questions focused on definitions of and expectations for hooking up. Six definitional variations of hooking up emerged from these responses: (a) “sex” left undefined, (b) making out, (c) a range of sexual activities, (d) “sex” defined as intercourse, (e) the “all but sex” continuum, and (f) hanging out or going on a date. Chi-square analyses indicated no proportional differences in these definitions based on participant gender. Characteristics of hookup partners were also identified in participant responses. Whereas a greater proportion of men identified physical appearance as a necessary attribute of a potential hookup partner, a greater proportion of women discussed (a) familiarity with a hookup partner and (b) hookups as occurring between noncommitted individuals. Also, a greater proportion of men than women indicated expectations to hookup while attending college. Implications for research, relationship and sexual health education, and policy are discussed.

Consequences of Beauty: Effects of Rater Sex and Sexual Orientation on the Visual Exploration and Evaluation of Attractiveness in Real World Scenes

One of the key behavioral effects of attractiveness is increased visual attention to attractive people. This effect is often explained in terms of evolutionary adaptations, such as attractiveness being an indicator of good health. Other factors could influence this effect. In the present study, we explored the modulating role of sexual orientation on the effects of attractiveness on exploratory visual behavior. Heterosexual and homosexual men and women viewed natural-looking scenes that depicted either two women or two men who varied systematically in levels of attractiveness (based on a pre-study). Participants' eye movements and attractiveness ratings toward the faces of the depicted people were recorded. The results showed that although attractiveness had the largest influence on participants' behaviors, participants' sexual orientations strongly modulated the effects. With the exception of homosexual women, all participant groups looked longer and more often at attractive faces that corresponded with their sexual orientations. Interestingly, heterosexual and homosexual men and homosexual women looked longer and more often at the less attractive face of their non-preferred sex than the less attractive face of their preferred sex, evidence that less attractive faces of the preferred sex might have an aversive character. These findings provide evidence for the important role that sexual orientation plays in guiding visual exploratory behavior and evaluations of the attractiveness of others.

Preferred and actual relative height among homosexual male partners vary with preferred dominance and sex role

Previous research has shown repeatedly that human stature influences mate preferences and mate choice in heterosexuals. In general, it has been shown that tall men and average height women are most preferred by the opposite sex, and that both sexes prefer to be in a relationship where the man is taller than the woman. However, little is known about such partner preferences in homosexual individuals. Based on an online survey of a large sample of non-heterosexual men (N = 541), we found that the majority of men prefer a partner slightly taller than themselves. However, these preferences were dependent on the participant's own height, such that taller men preferred shorter partners, whereas shorter men preferred taller partners. We also examined whether height preferences predicted the preference for dominance and the adoption of particular sexual roles within a couple. Although a large proportion of men preferred to be in an egalitarian relationship with respect to preferred dominance (although not with respect to preferred sexual role), men that preferred a more dominant and more "active" sexual role preferred shorter partners, whereas those that preferred a more submissive and more "passive" sexual role preferred taller partners. Our results indicate that preferences for relative height in homosexual men are modulated by own height, preferred dominance and sex role, and do not simply resemble those of heterosexual women or men.