Science of Sex- Matching Phenomenon

Summary

Evolutionary psychologist Douglas Kenrick explores the complexities of human mate selection through an experiment with 10 men and 10 women of varying attractiveness. Participants, initially anonymous, are assigned random 'desirability' numbers and must pair up based on these numbers. The experiment reveals insights into the mating strategies of individuals, with higher 'desirability' numbers affording more choices and patience. A second round allows true physical attractiveness to guide pairing, resulting in matches closely aligned with each other's attractiveness ratings, demonstrating how people generally pair with others of similar attractiveness.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Douglas Kenrick, an evolutionary psychologist, has conducted experiments to understand human mating strategies.
• 👥 He gathered 10 men and 10 women with varying levels of physical attractiveness to simulate a mating game.
• 👕 Participants were dressed in identical, sexually neutral outfits to minimize external differences.
• 🔢 Each participant was assigned a random number from 1 to 10, representing their perceived desirability.
• 🎯 The goal was to pair up with the highest-numbered partner possible, reflecting real-world mate selection.
• 📉 People with higher numbers could afford to be more selective, while those with lower numbers felt more urgency to pair up.
• 👫 The experiment showed a correlation where higher-numbered individuals received more offers and were more selective.
• 👶 The process mimics the self-discovery of one's own attractiveness, especially relevant for adolescents.
• 🎤 A participant's narration revealed the thought process behind mate selection, including initial optimism and eventual compromise.
• 👁️‍🗨️ When physical attractiveness was the sole factor, participants tended to pair with someone close to their own attractiveness level.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the experiments conducted by Dr. Douglas Kenrick?

The main focus of Dr. Douglas Kenrick's experiments is to understand the process of mate selection and how people pair up based on perceived attractiveness or desirability.

How did Dr. Kenrick attempt to control for variables in the experiment?

Dr. Kenrick controlled for variables by dressing all participants in identical and sexually neutral outfits to minimize differences between them and to focus on their desirability numbers.

What do the numbers assigned to participants represent in the experiment?

In the experiment, the numbers assigned to participants represent their perceived desirability, with one being the least desirable and ten being the most desirable.

What was the initial strategy of the participants when trying to pair up?

The initial strategy of the participants was to aim high by trying to pair up with the most desirable person, represented by the highest number, and then gradually lowering their expectations if they were not accepted.

How did the participants with higher numbers differ from those with lower numbers in the experiment?

Participants with higher numbers were able to hold back longer and received more offers, while those with lower numbers did not receive any offers, reflecting a real-world pattern where attractiveness can influence the number of potential mates.

What was the outcome for the two participants who were both ranked as fives in the experiment?

The two participants who were both ranked as fives eventually paired up with each other, indicating that they settled for a match close to their own perceived desirability level.

How did the experiment simulate the experience of an adolescent trying to understand their own attractiveness?

The experiment simulated the experience of an adolescent by having participants interact and receive feedback on their desirability without knowing their own assigned number, which can be a painful process of self-discovery.

What was the role of the woman ranked number three in the experiment?

The woman ranked number three was asked to narrate her mate selection strategy, providing insights into her thought process and the dynamics of choosing a partner based on the numbers and her own attractiveness rating.

How did Dr. Kenrick change the experiment to incorporate true physical attractiveness?

Dr. Kenrick changed the experiment by removing the head coverings and allowing the participants to rate each other's physical appearance, thus letting their own preferences for attractiveness influence their mate selection.

What was the final outcome of the experiment when physical attractiveness was considered?

In the final part of the experiment, each person found a partner within a point or so of their own attractiveness rating, suggesting that people tend to pair up with others who are similarly attractive.