Is mate-choice copying a female phenomenon?

Abstract

Mate-choice copying is where the probability of being chosen as a mate increases when there is evidence that others have already chosen that mate. Previous studies have shown that humans of both sexes are subject to such effects. This study asks whether the sexes differ in the extent that they are so affected, raising several considerations that push expectations in either direction. University students (N = 243) rated profile cards about real daters obtained from a prior speed dating event. Profiles included positive, negative or mixed mate choice information about the daters. Both males and females changed their ratings in the direction of others' choices, and to comparable extents. These ratings changes correlated with neither rejection sensitivity nor attachment style scale scores. The present results challenge theories that lead to the expectation that human females will rely more heavily than males on social mate-choice heuristics, and loan credence to several factors that motivate expectation of no sex difference in mate-choice copying.