Social rank attraction varies by relationship goals
People's attraction to social rank depends on whether they seek long-term or short-term relationships.
Why it matters
- Shows how relationship goals shape attraction to different types of social rank.
- Offers insights into dating preferences and social dynamics.
By the numbers
- Over 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed in the first study.
- Over 800 participants in the second study focused on facial attraction.
- Self-reported preferences showed large effects; facial preferences showed smaller effects.
The big picture
- Prestige attracts those seeking long-term relationships due to traits like warmth and reliability.
- Dominance attracts those seeking short-term relationships due to traits like strength and confidence.
- Patterns hold for both men and women, with minor variations in effect size.
What they're saying
- Some commenters question the broad definition of prestige.
- Others speculate on societal implications in equal financial systems.
Caveats
- Study focused on perceptions, not real-world relationship outcomes.
- Mostly American and White participants, limiting generalizability.
What’s next
- Future research to explore cultural differences and contextual factors of dominance.