The necessities and luxuries of mate preferences: Testing the tradeoffs.

Li, Norman P., Bailey, J. Michael, Kenrick, Douglas T., Linsenmeier, Joan A. W.·2002·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
DOI 10.1037//0022-3514.82.6.947

Abstract

Social exchange and evolutionary models of mate selection incorporate economic assumptions but have not considered a key distinction between necessities and luxuries. This distinction can clarify an apparent paradox: Status and attractiveness, though emphasized by many researchers, are not typically rated highly by research participants. Three studies supported the hypothesis that women and men first ensure sufficient levels of necessities in potential mates before considering many other characteristics rated as more important in prior surveys. In Studies 1 and 2, participants designed ideal long-term mates, purchasing various characteristics with 3 different budgets. Study 3 used a mate-screening paradigm and showed that people inquire 1st about hypothesized necessities. Physical attractiveness was a necessity to men, status and resources were necessities to women, and kindness and intelligence were necessities to both.

Cites (1)

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    Buss, David M. · 1989 · Behavioral and Brain Sciences

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  2. Renovating the Pyramid of Needs: Contemporary Extensions Built Upon Ancient Foundations
    Kenrick, Douglas T., Griskevicius, Vladas, Neuberg, Steven L., Schaller, Mark · 2010 · Perspectives on Psychological Science
  3. Empathy: Gender effects in brain and behavior
    Christov-Moore, Leonardo, Simpson, Elizabeth A., Coudé, Gino, Grigaityte, Kristina, Iacoboni, Marco, Ferrari, Pier Francesco · 2014 · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
  4. Sex similarities and differences in preferences for short-term mates: What, whether, and why.
    Li, Norman P., Kenrick, Douglas T. · 2006 · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
  5. Dynamical evolutionary psychology: Individual decision rules and emergent social norms.
    Kenrick, Douglas T., Li, Norman P., Butner, Jonathan · 2003 · Psychological Review

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: The necessities and luxuries of mate preferences: Testing the tradeoffs. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1037//0022-3514.82.6.947
The paper
Li, N. P., Bailey, J. M., Kenrick, D. T., & Linsenmeier, J. A. W. (2002). The necessities and luxuries of mate preferences: Testing the tradeoffs. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.82.6.947

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