1
|
Takayanagi JFGB, Siqueira JDO, Silveira PSP, Valentova JV. What Do Different People Look for in a Partner? Effects of Sex, Sexual Orientation, and Mating Strategies on Partner Preferences. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:981-1000. [PMID: 38413532 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02767-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Partner preferences are an important differential in relationship formation and evolutionary fitness, and vary according to individual, ecological, and social factors. In this study, we evaluated the variation in preference for intelligence, kindness, physical attractiveness, health, and socioeconomic level among individuals of different sexes and sexual orientations in a Brazilian sample. We analyzed the preference scores of 778 heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual men and women in three budgeted mate design tasks (low vs. medium vs. high budget) and their association with sociosexuality, attachment styles, homogamy, and willingness to engage in short- and long-term relationships. Results indicated a global trait preference order, with intelligence ranking first, followed by kindness, physical attractiveness, health, and lastly by socioeconomic status. Typical sex differences were observed mostly within the heterosexual group, and specific combinations of sex and sexual orientation were linked to variation in preference for physical attractiveness, kindness, and socioeconomic status. We also found unique associations of the other variables with partner preferences and with willingness to engage in short- or long-term relationships. By exploring the partner preferences of non-heterosexual individuals from a Latin American country, an underrepresented group in evolutionary psychology research, our results help understand the universal and specific factors that guide partner preferences and human sexual behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joao Francisco Goes Braga Takayanagi
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Sao Paulo, Professor Mello Moraes Avenue 1721, Butanta, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil.
| | - Jose de Oliveira Siqueira
- Department of Legal Medicine, Bioethics, Occupational Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sergio Panse Silveira
- Department of Legal Medicine, Bioethics, Occupational Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Department of Pathology (LIM01-HCFMUSP), Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jaroslava Varella Valentova
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Sao Paulo, Professor Mello Moraes Avenue 1721, Butanta, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xu Y, Zheng L. Self-Objectification and Self-Sexualizing Appearance Behaviors in Chinese Lesbian and Bisexual Females: Moderating Effect of Femme/Butch/Androgyne Identity. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2024:1-22. [PMID: 38319638 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2024.2310758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
In heterosexual populations, self-objectification is associated with self-sexualizing appearance behaviors. This study examined the relationship between self-objectification and self-sexualizing appearance behaviors and the moderating effect of butch/androgynous/femme sexual self-label identification in Chinese bisexual and lesbian females. We recruited 637 bisexual and lesbian females to complete an online questionnaire that asked about demographic information and feminine and masculine self-sexualizing appearance behaviors and measured the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale. Feminine self-sexualizing appearance behaviors include wearing high heels, short skirts, low-cut outfits, skinny clothes and makeup. Masculine self-sexualizing appearance behaviors include wearing short hair and binding breasts. Femme-identified females scored higher on body surveillance than did butch- and androgynous-identified females. Butch-identified females reported having more masculine self-sexualizing behaviors, whereas femme-identified females reported having more feminine self-sexualizing appearance behaviors. Sexual self-label identification moderated the relationship between self-objectification and feminine self-sexualizing behaviors. Body surveillance was significantly associated with feminine self-sexualizing behaviors in femme- and androgynous-identified females but not in butch-identified females. Body shame was negatively associated with feminine self-sexualizing appearance behaviors in androgynous-identified females. The current findings highlight the role of sexual self-label identification in self-objectification among Chinese bisexual and lesbian females. The findings imply the heterogeneousness of self-objectification among Chinese bisexual and lesbian females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Xu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lijun Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Klümper L, Hassebrauck M, Schwarz S. Intersexual and Intrasexual Differences in Mate Selection Preferences Among Lesbian Women, Gay Men, and Bisexual Women and Men. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:177-203. [PMID: 37558933 PMCID: PMC10794314 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02665-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Klümper
- Social Psychology and Personality Psychology, School for Human and Social Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Gaußstraße 20, 42119, Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Manfred Hassebrauck
- Social Psychology and Personality Psychology, School for Human and Social Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Gaußstraße 20, 42119, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Sascha Schwarz
- Social Psychology and Personality Psychology, School for Human and Social Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Gaußstraße 20, 42119, Wuppertal, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Silva T. Subcultural Identification, Penetration Practices, Masculinity, and Gender Labels within a Nationally Representative Sample of Three Cohorts of American Black, White, and Latina/o LGBQ People. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:3467-3483. [PMID: 35997907 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02285-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Most quantitative research about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) people's sexual subcultures and sexual practices has used non-probability samples due to data limitations. This paper used the Generations study, a national probability sample of LGBQ Americans in three age cohorts, 18-25 (n = 510), 34-41 (n = 294), and 52-59 (n = 425), who also identified as Black, white, or Latina/o. This paper analyzed men (n = 590) and women (n = 639) to answer the following sets of research questions: (1) What is the prevalence of subcultural identification as bear, leather/kink, twink, and jock among men, and how does it differ by cohort, race/ethnicity, and sexual identity? (2) What is the prevalence of men who describe themselves as a top, versatile top, versatile, versatile bottom, and bottom? What is the relationship between penetration practices and masculinity? (3) What is the prevalence of gender labels among women as femme, androgynous, and butch? How does the prevalence differ by cohort, race/ethnicity, and sexual identity? (4) What is the relationship between women's gender labels and masculinity? Penetration practices were fairly evenly distributed among men, and there were few differences in masculinity based on penetration practices after controlling for demographics and subcultural identification. Most women did not use gender labels, but butch identities were more common among lesbians and femme labels were more common among Black women and Latinas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tony Silva
- Department of Sociology, University of British Columbia, 6303 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hughes S, Champion A, Brown K, Hesse C, Pedersen CL. The influence of sexual orientation on reputational punishment of other women’s behaviour. PSYCHOLOGY & SEXUALITY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2020.1728366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shelby Hughes
- Department of Psychology, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, Canada
| | - Amanda Champion
- Department of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Kailie Brown
- Department of Psychology, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, Canada
| | - Cassandra Hesse
- Department of Educational & Counseling Psychology and Special Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Cory L. Pedersen
- Department of Psychology, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zheng L, Wen G, Zheng Y. Butch-Femme Identity and Visuospatial Performance Among Lesbian and Bisexual Women in China. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2018; 47:1015-1024. [PMID: 29230602 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-017-1128-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Lesbian and bisexual women who self-identify as "butch" show a masculine profile with regard to gender roles, gender nonconformity, and systemizing cognitive style, whereas lesbian and bisexual women who self-identify as "femme" show a corresponding feminine profile and those who self-identify as "androgynes" show an intermediate profile. This study examined the association between butch or femme lesbian or bisexual identity and visuospatial ability among 323 lesbian and bisexual women, compared to heterosexual women (n = 207) and men (n = 125), from multiple cities in China. Visuospatial ability was assessed using a Shepard and Metzler-type mental rotation task and Judgment of Line Angle and Position (JLAP) test on the Internet. Heterosexual men outperformed heterosexual women on both mental rotation and JLAP tasks. Lesbian and bisexual women outperformed heterosexual women on mental rotation, but not on JLAP. There were significant differences in mental rotation performance among women, with butch- and androgyne-identified lesbian/bisexual women outperforming femme-identified and heterosexual women. There were also significant differences in JLAP performance among women, with butch- and androgyne-identified lesbian/bisexual women and heterosexual women outperforming femme-identified lesbian/bisexual women. The butch-femme differences in visuospatial ability indicated an association between cognitive ability and butch-femme identity and suggest that neurobiological underpinnings may contribute to butch-femme identity although alternative explanations exist.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China.
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Guangju Wen
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zheng L, Zheng Y. Gender Nonconformity and Butch-Femme Identity Among Lesbians in China. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2016; 53:186-93. [PMID: 26457847 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2015.1058890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have indicated that the butch-femme identities of lesbian women are related to gender roles (e.g., instrumentality and expressiveness). This study examined the association between butch and femme lesbian identities and gender nonconformity in both childhood (Study 1: 434 lesbian women and 230 heterosexual women) and adulthood (Study 2: 207 lesbian women and 342 heterosexual women) among women in China. In Study 1 (97 femmes, 76 androgynous women, and 264 butches), butches recalled more childhood gender nonconformity (CGN) than did femmes, androgynous, and heterosexual women, and androgynous women recalled more CGN than did heterosexual women. In Study 2 (43 femmes, 44 androgynous women, and 120 butches), butches reported more adulthood gender nonconformity (AGN) based on a "people-thing" dimension of interests than did femmes and heterosexual women, and androgynous women reported preferring more masculine hobbies than did femmes or heterosexual women. There was no significant difference in CGN and AGN between femmes and heterosexual women. These results indicate that femmes are quite similar to heterosexual women with regard to CGN and AGN, thus providing an important extension of previous studies based on a Chinese sample.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Zheng
- a Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University , Ministry of Education , Chongqing , China
- b Faculty of Psychology , Southwest University , Chongqing , China
| | - Yong Zheng
- a Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University , Ministry of Education , Chongqing , China
- b Faculty of Psychology , Southwest University , Chongqing , China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
|
9
|
Frieze IH, Dittrich S. Publication of Research in Sex Roles on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Issues. SEX ROLES 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s11199-013-0284-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
10
|
Zheng L, Zheng Y. Butch–femme identity and empathizing–systemizing cognitive traits in Chinese lesbians and bisexual women. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2013.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
11
|
Smith CA, Konik J. Feminism and Evolutionary Psychology: Allies, Adversaries, or Both? An Introduction to a Special Issue. SEX ROLES 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s11199-011-9985-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
12
|
|