Positive and negative preferences in human mate selection

Nicolas Gérard Vaillant (1) , François-Charles Wolff (2)

1 UMR CNRS 8179
2 LEMNA - Laboratoire d'économie et de management de Nantes Atlantique

This paper focuses on preferences for specific characteristics in a potential partner using data from 1993 to 1999 provided by a French marriage bureau. We perform an econometric analysis of the various traits either sought or rejected in a potential partner, respectively by men and women. Our results are consistent with investment in marriage. On the one hand, men tend to reject vulgar and unfaithful women, meaning that they are likely to suffer serious fitness costs from infidelity. On the other hand, women dread meeting potential partners who are alcoholic, selfish or violent.

Domaines: Economies et finances; Gestion et management

Nicolas Gérard Vaillant, François-Charles Wolff. Positive and negative preferences in human mate selection. 2010. ⟨hal-00455160⟩