Exploring Mate Value across Two Studies: From Perceptions to Enhancement

Study 1 followed a dual perceptive approach and compared romantic partners ’ mate value and mate value discrepancy to determine who the “better half ” was in relationships. Results indicated both partners are the “better half ” in relationships. Males and females perceived their partners to have higher mate values than themselves in more established relationships. Results also revealed a ceiling effect for commitment in engaged/married relationships, in that commitment no longer influenced perceptions of partner mate value in stabilized relationships. Thus, Study 2 explored perceptions of communication satisfaction and nonverbal immediacy and their influence on perceptions of partner mate value. Results found only communication satisfaction predicted how individuals viewed their partners ’ mate value