Are Mating Strategies Shaped By Foraging Strategies? Individual Differences Associated With Search Patterns Through Dating Pools

Abstract

Previous Research Suggests That Foraging Theory Models Can Be Applied Not Only To Searching For Food In The Literal, External Environment, But Also To Internal Environments (Searching Memory, Etc.) And Virtual Environments (Internet Searches, Etc.). Applying This To The Domain Of Mate Search, The Present Study Predicted That Greater Exploration (I.E., More Thorough Examination Of Options) Should Be More Likely For Women, Those With A Long-Term Mating Strategy, And Those With A Slow Life History Strategy. Mate Value And Hexaco Traits Were Also Included For Comparisons. Two Studies Replicated Previously Found Correlations Across These Measures And Developed A Novel Measure Of Exploration Of Potential Mate Options In An Online Context (With Both Searching Through Profiles Within Pools And Decisions To Move On To Different Pools). Study 1 Found That Search Strategy Correlated Largely As Predicted With Mating Orientation, Mate Value, Life History Strategy, And Sex, With Short-Term Mating Orientation And Mate Value Being Particularly Predictive. Study 2, However, Added An Option To Stop The Search Process By Selecting A Potential Mate, And Most Of These Correlations With Individual Differences No Longer Occurred. Higher Mate Value Did Continue To Play A Role, But In Study 2 It Was Related Only To Perseverance In Mate Search Rather Than Amount Of Searching. Given The Increasing Use Of Technology Such As Dating Applications With Profile Databases, Re-Search On How Mate Search Occurs In Such Environments Is Of Growing Importance