By: Jennifer Busico, Renee Egizi, Laura
Jimenez
Buss, D. M. (2008). Attractive Women Want It All: Good Genes,
Economic Investment, Parenting Proclivities, and Emotional
Commitment. Evolutionary Psychology , 6(1) , 134-146.
•
•
•
•
Women Preferences for long term and short term
relationships
Women can’t have it all
Often trade-off: Good gene fitness and Good
investment
4 clusters of qualities for long term mate
– Good genes
– Good resources
– Good parenting
– Good partner

Women high in mate value, compared to those
lower in mate value, should impose higher
standards for a suite of desirable characteristics





214 participants (107 males & females)
Criteria: married less than 1 year
Public Record of Marriage Licenses in Midwest
Participants given $25
Mean Ages: men-25.46, females-24.78

3 assessments
◦ At home questionnaire, female rate physical
attractiveness of self
◦ Laboratory questionnaires




Factors in Choosing a Mate
Preferences Concerning Potential Mates
Family and Marital Preference
Goals Wanted in a Partner
◦ Interview

Positive correlation between high female
attractiveness and the 4 cluster of qualities
◦ Female attractiveness was not a factor in determining
male Intelligence

No correlation between male attractiveness and
the 4 cluster of qualities
◦ Males love all women


High attractive females require higher attractive
standards
Limitations:
◦
◦
◦
◦
Sample consisted of only married individuals
Participants from a single culture
Do women actually obtain a man who “has it all”
Look into the invariability for preference of male
intelligence
•
Pros
– Thorough in examination (initial assessment at home, 4
questionnaires in laboratory, final interview)
– Focused on young contemporary women (24 years-old)
– Confidentiality assurance
– Layout of journal (clear and precise)
•
Cons
– No random selection
– Small sample (107 males/females) can’t generalize
– Participants belief in mate containing 4 cluster of qualities is
contradicting (no man has it all)
– Did not provide sample of questionnaires
– Did not go in depth regarding the non-present correlation of males
– Defining of terms ambiguous
– No in-depth analysis; simply stating results
– No analysis on less attractive women
True or False: Based on this study, do high attractive females adjust their preferences for
male qualities?
True or False: Males do not have a preference for female attractiveness?
True or False: There is a difference between low and high attractive female’s preferences
on male intelligence?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Male preference?
1)
2)
3)
4)
a. A loving partner
b. A house
c. A heterosexual
d. Social Status
How long had the participants been married?
5)
a. 1 year
b. Newlyweds
c. 5 years
d. 2 years
6)
a. 7
b. 1
c. 3
d. 4
How many assessment(s) did the participants encounter during the experiment?