February 2008 PMID 18211175

Sex differences in mate preferences revisited: do people know what they initially desire in a romantic partner?

Paul W Eastwick, Eli J Finkel

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Mentions

46
Peak: 3 in Dec 2022
across 4 sources since Dec 2022

Extended reach

857,136
potential audience

Total likes

21,470

Video views

619,806

Mentions per month

Dec 2022 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News23 articles
  • X / Twitter16 posts
  • Blogs4 articles
  • YouTube3 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Many discussions support the idea that people may not be fully aware of what truly influences their romantic preferences, with comments emphasizing real-world observations, references to foundational studies, and methodological critiques. The tone varies from analytical to casual, reflecting both academic interest and personal interpretation, which underscores a nuanced engagement with the research’s relevance and limitations.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most comments acknowledge the research findings, with some suggesting that traditional views on physical attraction are exaggerated or misleading.

InterestHigh interest

Discussion of social and psychological aspects of mate preferences indicates high curiosity and engagement with the topic.

EngagementHigh engagement

Posts analyze the article’s implications, cite related studies, and debate methodological aspects, showing deep involvement.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations highlight how the research questions perceptions of attraction and have potential implications for understanding human relationships, though the impact on everyday behavior remains moderate.

Abstract in brief

  • The study revisits common findings that men prioritize physical attractiveness and women prioritize earning prospects when choosing a romantic partner, based on ideal preferences expressed in surveys and vignettes.
  • In real-life settings like speed dating, these traditional gender differences in predicting romantic interest do not appear; both men and women show similar preferences for attractiveness and earning potential when considering actual partners.
  • The results suggest that people may not be fully aware of what truly influences their romantic desires, as ideal preferences measured beforehand do not accurately predict their actual attraction during interactions, aligning with psychological insights about limited introspective awareness.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Robin Hanson
@robinhanson · X

The most popular answer here (C) seems just wrong (see link), as does (A). And we don't seem to mind men trying hard in many other ways. I'd guess this is just an arbitrary historical thing; could have been opposite. https://t.co/c4CFaB1QvD https://t.co/fO186Uvce1

Sep 24, 2025 · 11 likes · 114,630 followers View post →
Ahmed Yezzi
@yezzi17359 · X

@_il_rossonero @The_Last_Gasp @Il_Basato_ (3 su 3) Gli uomini che mostrano questi tratti risultano più attraenti per le done. [2] Fonti: [1]"Sex differences in mate preferences revisited: Do people know what they initially desire in a romantic partner?" [2]"Sex Differences in Human Mate Preferences"

May 14, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 followers View post →
Molza
@Molzenna · X

@koi_n0_yokan Плюс есть исследование, согласно которому, если человек начинает отношения с кем-то, кто незначительно не соответствует его идеалу, он склонен подгонять идеал под партнера, «я всегда именно этого и хотел». Короче все не так плохо) https://t.co/4KYGNe4XB9 https://t.co/jlxy5Y9MhE

Jun 3, 2025 · 1 like · 1,559 followers View post →
Philippe GOUILLOU
@neuromonaco · X

Eastwick, P. W., & Finkel, E. J. (2008). Sex differences in mate preferences revisited: Do people know what they initially desire in a romantic partner? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 94(2), 245–264. https://t.co/ubnF9CTjM7 https://t.co/yar5cBq2uI

Jan 9, 2023 · 1 like · 1,337 followers View post →
Arief R
@arieframadhanm · X

Ref: David M. Buss (1989) – “Sex Differences in Human Mate Preferences: Evolutionary Hypotheses Tested in 37 Cultures” Eastwick & Finkel (2008) – “Sex Differences in Mate Preferences Revisited: Do People Know What They Initially Desire in a Romantic Partner?”

Jun 3, 2025 · 1 like · 1,173 followers View post →
Everton Andrade
@evt_andrade · X

@rosegoldlights @FuriaeTradicao @ZattarRafael Segue estudos: https://t.co/82yR84c3JL https://t.co/4sz5eMLlvB https://t.co/2dApfjQulq https://t.co/wjdmMAgnG2 https://t.co/ADO4S2zN8h https://t.co/wxX1KmmKU0 https://t.co/YILDYOaluS https://t.co/jnWtHKDwwF

Jul 1, 2025 · 1 like · 55 followers View post →

All mentions

Radiator Grilled Cheese
@20yearsinthekan · X

@ariagalindez @celestialbe1ng Studies show that women are influenced by physical appearance equally to men in choosing partners, they just lie about it more: https://t.co/PODynEjOMi https://t.co/sGPEBzWB5j Women are just as shallow as men if not more, you just lack self awareness about it.

Oct 14, 2025 · 8 followers View post →
Snd
@Sined_C · X

@Akazunaty Mais on peut aussi observer la réalité, pas seulement ce que déclarent les gens. Pour cela, on va s’intéresser à cette étude : https://t.co/vnKjLzOKy7

Oct 14, 2025 · 101 followers View post →
Robin Hanson
@robinhanson · X

The most popular answer here (C) seems just wrong (see link), as does (A). And we don't seem to mind men trying hard in many other ways. I'd guess this is just an arbitrary historical thing; could have been opposite. https://t.co/c4CFaB1QvD https://t.co/fO186Uvce1

Sep 24, 2025 · 11 likes · 114,630 followers View post →
Robin Hanson
@robinhanson · X

The most popular answer here seems just wrong (see link), as does (A). And we don't seem to mind men trying hard in many other ways. I'd guess this is just an arbitrary historical thing; could have been opposite. https://t.co/c4CFaB1QvD https://t.co/fO186Uvce1

Sep 24, 2025 · 114,630 followers View post →
Everton Andrade
@evt_andrade · X

@rosegoldlights @FuriaeTradicao @ZattarRafael Segue estudos: https://t.co/82yR84c3JL https://t.co/4sz5eMLlvB https://t.co/2dApfjQulq https://t.co/wjdmMAgnG2 https://t.co/ADO4S2zN8h https://t.co/wxX1KmmKU0 https://t.co/YILDYOaluS https://t.co/jnWtHKDwwF

Jul 1, 2025 · 1 like · 55 followers View post →
Arief R
@arieframadhanm · X

Ref: David M. Buss (1989) – “Sex Differences in Human Mate Preferences: Evolutionary Hypotheses Tested in 37 Cultures” Eastwick & Finkel (2008) – “Sex Differences in Mate Preferences Revisited: Do People Know What They Initially Desire in a Romantic Partner?”

Jun 3, 2025 · 1 like · 1,173 followers View post →
Molza
@Molzenna · X

@koi_n0_yokan Плюс есть исследование, согласно которому, если человек начинает отношения с кем-то, кто незначительно не соответствует его идеалу, он склонен подгонять идеал под партнера, «я всегда именно этого и хотел». Короче все не так плохо) https://t.co/4KYGNe4XB9 https://t.co/jlxy5Y9MhE

Jun 3, 2025 · 1 like · 1,559 followers View post →
Ahmed Yezzi
@yezzi17359 · X

@_il_rossonero @The_Last_Gasp @Il_Basato_ (3 su 3) Gli uomini che mostrano questi tratti risultano più attraenti per le done. [2] Fonti: [1]"Sex differences in mate preferences revisited: Do people know what they initially desire in a romantic partner?" [2]"Sex Differences in Human Mate Preferences"

May 14, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 followers View post →
auu ah pusing
@menglelahwkwk · X

another fun fact is that i just watched this tonight. fun to know that a research said the most ideal partner based on the survey is someone that similar to their personality. which i love to. i think it amplifies how beautiful to love yourself well. https://t.co/h7eMRgcX4D

Oct 9, 2024 · 102 followers View post →
unfuckyou
@_unfuckyou_ · X

@discordspies Source: https://t.co/bp3Xj1uzTH They do have an explanation in their moethod section. They used six (subjective) judges. That's a very small sample; I'd say they'd need the same sample size there as they'd need for the same experiment...

Apr 3, 2023 · 285 followers View post →
tty_321
@tty3211 · X

@DeadFishCapital @IncelsCo Eastwick PW, Finkel EJ. 2008. Sex Differences in Mate Preferences Revisited: Do People Know What They Initially Desire in a Romantic Partner? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 94(2):245-264.

Mar 29, 2023 · 1 followers View post →
ᯅ
@teel0ck · X

The "ideal partner" according to research & why it might not matter https://t.co/98pZ2qdsok via @YouTube

Feb 1, 2023 · 782 followers View post →
coscorrodrift
@Coscorrodrift · X

@Infantminds but i dont read papers, it's from this video https://t.co/43NryYhdom

Jan 16, 2023 · 1,704 followers View post →
Philippe GOUILLOU
@neuromonaco · X

Eastwick, P. W., & Finkel, E. J. (2008). Sex differences in mate preferences revisited: Do people know what they initially desire in a romantic partner? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 94(2), 245–264. https://t.co/ubnF9CTjM7 https://t.co/yar5cBq2uI

Jan 9, 2023 · 1 like · 1,337 followers View post →
ᯅ
@teel0ck · X

The "ideal partner" according to research & why it might not matter https://t.co/98pZ2qdsok via @YouTube

Dec 28, 2022 · 782 followers View post →
Prince Of Wrath
@A_GoldenSnitch · X

The "ideal partner" according to research & why it might not matter https://t.co/ZTevoV0yTp via @YouTube

Dec 28, 2022 · 181 followers View post →