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Cited by 96Evolutionary Psychology and Human BehaviorAnimal Behavior and ReproductionFamily Dynamics and Relationships

Assortative mating for human height: A meta‐analysis

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Stulp, Gert, Simons, Mirre J.P., Grasman, Sara, Pollet, Thomas V.·2017·American Journal of Human Biology
DOI 10.1002/ajhb.22917PMC PMC5297874
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Abstract

Objectives: The study of assortative mating for height has a rich history in human biology. Although the positive correlation between the stature of spouses has often been noted in western populations, recent papers suggest that mating patterns for stature are not universal. The objective of this paper was to review the published evidence to examine the strength of and universality in assortative mating for height. Methods: We conducted an extensive literature review and meta‐analysis. We started with published reviews but also searched through secondary databases. Our search led to 154 correlations of height between partners. We classified the populations as western and non‐western based on geography. These correlations were then analyzed via meta‐analytic techniques. Results: 148 of the correlations for partner heights were positive and the overall analysis indicates moderate positive assortative mating (r = .23). Although assortative mating was slightly stronger in countries that can be described as western compared to non‐western, this difference was not statistically significant. We found no evidence for a change in assortative mating for height over time. There was substantial residual heterogeneity in effect sizes and this heterogeneity was most pronounced in western countries. Conclusions: Positive assortative mating for height exists in human populations, but is modest in magnitude suggesting that height is not a major factor in mate choice. Future research is necessary to understand the underlying causes of the large amount of heterogeneity observed in the degree of assortative mating across human populations, which may stem from a combination of methodological and ecological differences.

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  • Twin studies do not find strong evidence for common environmental effects on height, where shrinkage is more likely to be a consequence of assortative mating.

    “In contrast, twin studies do not find strong evidence for common environmental effects on height, where shrinkage is more likely to be a consequence of assortative mating10,46,47.”

    From Within-sibship genome-wide association analyses decrease bias in estimates of direct genetic effects (2022) · cites this paper as [47]

    The Discussion (page not available) reports moderate assortative mating for height, but does not assess common environmental effects in twin studies or explain shrinkage. Searches for “shrinkage,” “common environmental effects,” and shared environment found no passage addressing those claims. (LLM, conf=0.72)

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Authors
Stulp, G., Simons, M. J. P., Grasman, S., & Pollet, T. V.
Affiliations
  • University of Groningen (NL)
  • University of Sheffield (GB)
  • Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
Corresponding author
Stulp, Gert
ORCID
Venue
American Journal of Human Biology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2016-09-17
Volume
29
Issue
1
ISSN
  • 1042-0533 (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-6300
DOI
10.1002/ajhb.22917
PMC
PMC5297874
OpenAlex
W2522061126
Cited by
96
References
102
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1
FWCI
1.01
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • American Journal of Human Biology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
  • Northumbria Research Link (Northumbria University) (acceptedVersion)
  • LSHTM Research Online (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) (acceptedVersion)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Natural Environment Research Council (NE/J024597, NE/M005941/1)
  • Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (451‐15‐034, 451.10.032, Rubicon)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
Keywords
assortative mating, human height, mate choice, cross-cultural comparison, effect size heterogeneity
MeSH terms
Body Height, Female, Humans, Male, Reproductive Behavior

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