Title
Perceptions Of Age Differences In Dating
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Kelly L. Cate
Campus
Dahlonega
Proposal Type
Poster
Subject Area
English/Communications
Location
Library Third Floor, Open Area
Start Date
30-3-2015 12:00 PM
Description/Abstract
PERCEPTIONS OF AGE DIFFERENCES IN DATING
Abstract
Mate selection has historically been based on resources for females and youth and fertility for males (Buss, 1989); however, shifts in American society have allowed women to reach educational and economic goals traditionally achieved by men. The current study was designed to determine whether societal expectations for dating, have changed. Approximately 100 male and female undergraduate students will read one of four vignettes describing a dating couple and will rate the mate-pair on perceived happiness and appropriateness. Each vignette will vary on age, attractiveness, and success of each mate, and will be accompanied by pictures of individuals in the mate-pair and will include a description of each person’s salary, career, and marital status. The pairs will include: an older, attractive, successful male with a younger female, an older, attractive, unsuccessful male with a younger female, an older unattractive, successful male with a younger female, an older unattractive, unsuccessful male with a younger female, an older, attractive, successful woman with a younger male, an older, attractive, unsuccessful woman with a younger male, an older, unattractive successful woman with a younger male, and an older, unattractive, unsuccessful male. Participants will be asked their opinion of attractiveness as well as how acceptable the mate-pair is. This allows us to examine the factors that participants use to determine acceptability of relationships and if perceptions of age gaps and dating are affected by socioeconomic-status, attractiveness, and successfulness. Results will be discussed in terms of mate selection theory.
Perceptions Of Age Differences In Dating
Library Third Floor, Open Area
PERCEPTIONS OF AGE DIFFERENCES IN DATING
Abstract
Mate selection has historically been based on resources for females and youth and fertility for males (Buss, 1989); however, shifts in American society have allowed women to reach educational and economic goals traditionally achieved by men. The current study was designed to determine whether societal expectations for dating, have changed. Approximately 100 male and female undergraduate students will read one of four vignettes describing a dating couple and will rate the mate-pair on perceived happiness and appropriateness. Each vignette will vary on age, attractiveness, and success of each mate, and will be accompanied by pictures of individuals in the mate-pair and will include a description of each person’s salary, career, and marital status. The pairs will include: an older, attractive, successful male with a younger female, an older, attractive, unsuccessful male with a younger female, an older unattractive, successful male with a younger female, an older unattractive, unsuccessful male with a younger female, an older, attractive, successful woman with a younger male, an older, attractive, unsuccessful woman with a younger male, an older, unattractive successful woman with a younger male, and an older, unattractive, unsuccessful male. Participants will be asked their opinion of attractiveness as well as how acceptable the mate-pair is. This allows us to examine the factors that participants use to determine acceptability of relationships and if perceptions of age gaps and dating are affected by socioeconomic-status, attractiveness, and successfulness. Results will be discussed in terms of mate selection theory.