Gender Differences in Mate Selection Criteria

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the males and females mate preferences, comparing the criteria between two sexes, and the changes in most important criteria in the sample of this study with a previous sample of a study that was carried out in Iran in early 80s. Subjects were 375 (168 mal and 207 female) students selected through available sampling from Shahid Beheshti university and were assessed using questionnaire of mate selection criteria. The data of this research was analyzed using friedman and independent t test. Result showed that there were significant differences between males and females in most of the mate selection criteria. Overall, males preferred criteria related with beautifulness and females preferred the criteria related to males financial capability and reliability. Furthermore, the resultes of the present study indicate a serial of changes that have been occurred since early 80's in mate selection criteria. For example, an increse in the importance of good finance prospect for females and the important of the beautifulness for males of this sample. The results related to sex differences support the evalutionlry theory of mate selection. Comparing the results of the present study and the results of study that has been done in early 80's shows cultural chages in our country from traditional and religious values towards non-traditional and modern values in mate selection