Individual differences in talking enjoyment: The roles of life history strategy and mate value

Abstract

The present research explored the possibility that individual differences in talking enjoyment may play a role in human reproduction, such as mate advertising in humans. Prior research on talking has tended to focus on sex differences in the amount of talking. We present a new self-report measure to assess individual differences in talking enjoyment and explore its relationships with self-perceived mate value and life history strategy. In Study 1, we assessed talking enjoyment with an 11-item talking enjoyment questionnaire and found that (a) women’s average talking enjoyment and Mini-K ratings were significantly higher than men’s; (b) talking enjoyment was predicted by life history strategy as measured by and self-rated mate value; and (c) the relationship between sex and talking enjoyment was mediated by life history strategy. In Study 2, we replicated the results of Study 1 with a revised eight-item talking enjoyment questionnaire after confirming its test-retest reliability. The results provide new insights into individual differences in talking enjoyment. Directions for future research on the relationship talking behavior and mate selection in humans are discussed.