Humans show mate copying after observing real mate choices
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Fig. 1
Changes in ratings of target attractiveness for short- and long-term relationships, separated by perceived interest (present or absent), made by male and female observers. Error bars are +/− 1 S.E.M. Mate copying is measured in terms of the difference in rating changes between the no-perceived-interest and perceived-interest cases.
Abstract
When searching for a mate, one must gather information to determine the mate value of potential partners. By focusing on individuals who have been previously chosen by others, one's selection of mates can be influenced by another's successful search—a phenomenon known as mate copying. We show mate copying in humans with a novel methodology that closely mimics behavioral studies with non-human animals. After observing instances of real mating interest in video recordings of speed-dates, both male and female participants show mate copying effects of heightened short-term and long-term relationship interest towards individuals in dates they perceived as successful. Furthermore, the relative attractiveness of observers and observed plays a mediating role in whom an individual will choose to copy.
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☆This research was supported by grant As 59/15 of the German Research Foundation (DFG), awarded to Jens Asendorpf. Lars Penke is supported by the UK Medical Research Council (Grant No. 82800) and is part of The University of Edinburgh Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology. Funding from the BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC and MRC is gratefully acknowledged. We would like to thank Marie-Luise Haupt, Karsten Krauskopf, Harald Schneider, and Sebastian Teubner for their help with the Berlin Speed Dating Study.
