The role of accurate self-assessment in optimising mate choice.

Citation

Harper KT, Stanley F, Sidari MJ, Lee AJ & Zietsch BP (2022) The role of accurate self-assessment in optimising mate choice.. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

Abstract
Individuals are thought to seek the best possible romantic partner in exchange for their own desirability. We investigated whether individuals’ self-evaluations were related to their partner choices and whether the accuracy of these self-evaluations was associated with mating outcomes. Participants (N=1354) took part in a speed-dating study where they rated themselves and others on mate value and indicated their willingness to date each potential partner. Individuals were somewhat accurate in their self-evaluations, and these self-evaluations were associated with individuals’ revealed minimum and maximum standards for a potential partner, but not the number of partners they were interested in. Participants who overestimated their mate value were accepted by an equivalent number of partners compared to under-estimators, but the over-estimators were choosier and thus ended up with fewer (but similarly attractive) reciprocal matches. Results support social exchange theory and the matching hypothesis, and contrast findings that self-enhancement facilitates positive social outcomes.

Notes
Output Status: Forthcoming

Journal
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

People

Dr Anthony Lee

Lecturer in Psychology, Psychology