Sociologický časopis / Czech Sociological Review 2019, 55(2): 161-188 | DOI: 10.13060/00380288.2019.55.2.457

The Role of Cognitive Abilities in Assortative Mating: Partner Preferences of Young Adults

Markéta Šetinová, Jana Klímová Chaloupková
Fakulta sociálních věd, Univerzita Karlova, Praha
Sociologický ústav Akademie věd ČR, v. v. i., Praha

This article focuses on the relationship between young adults' cognitive abilities and individual partner preferences. We worked with the Preference NSZ 2017 data set, which contains data on partner preferences and the results of the National Comparative Secondary-School Exams of Czech high school graduates, and our analyses, using logistic regression, confirmed a tendency towards homophily on the level of cognitive abilities and university education. Young people with above-average results place more importance on agreement in political opinions, but do not regard the partner's homemaking abilities or financial situation as too important. The results further show that partner preferences differ according to the education capital of the background family and according to preferred partnership arrangement. We also find significant differences in the partner preferences of men and women that reflect ideas about traditional gender roles. Women favour characteristics that relate to status, and men assign more importance to physical looks.

Keywords: partner preferences, cognitive abilities, education, educational homogamy, intelligence

Published: April 1, 2019  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Šetinová, M., & Klímová Chaloupková, J. (2019). The Role of Cognitive Abilities in Assortative Mating: Partner Preferences of Young Adults. Sociologický časopis / Czech Sociological Review, 55(2), 161-188. doi: 10.13060/00380288.2019.55.2.457
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Aassve, A., G. Fuochi, L. Mencarini, D. Mendola. 2015. "What is your couple type? Gender ideology, housework-sharing, and babies." Demographic Research 32 (1): 835-858, https://doi.org/10.4054/DemRes.2015.32.30. Go to original source...
    2. Becker, G. 1993. A Treatise on the Family. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
    3. Blackwell, D. L., D. T. Lichter. 2004. "Homogamy Among Dating, Cohabiting, and Married Couples." Sociological Quarterly 45 (4): 719-737, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-8525.2004.tb02311.x. Go to original source...
    4. Blossfeld, H.-P., A. Timm. 2003. Who Marries Whom? Educational Systems as Marriage Markets in Modern Societies. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1065-8. Go to original source...
    5. Botwin, M. D., D. M. Buss, T. K. Shackelford. 1997. "Personality and Mate Preferences: Five Factors In Mate Selection and Marital Satisfaction." Journal of Personality 65 (1): 107-136, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1997.tb00531.x. Go to original source...
    6. Bouchard, T. J., M. McGue. 1981. "Familial studies of intelligence: a review." Science (New York, N.Y.) 212 (4498): 1055-1059, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.7195071. Go to original source...
    7. Boxer, C. F., M. C. Noonan, Ch. B. Whelan. 2015. "Measuring mate preferences: A replication and extension." Journal of Family Issues 36 (2): 163-187, https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X13490404. Go to original source...
    8. Buss, D. M., D. P. Schmitt. 1993. "Sexual strategies theory: an evolutionary perspective on human mating." Psychological Review 100 (2): 204-232, https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.100.2.204. Go to original source...
    9. Buss, D. M., T. K. Shackelford, L. A. Kirkpatrick, R. J. Larsen. 2001. "A half century of mate preferences: The cultural evolution of values." Journal of Marriage and Family 63 (2): 491-503, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2001.00491.x. Go to original source...
    10. Dribe, M., P. Nystedt. 2013. "Educational Homogamy and Gender-Specific Earnings: Sweden, 1990-2009." Demography 50 (4): 1197-1216, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13524-012-0188-7. Go to original source...
    11. Eagly, A. H., W. Wood. 1999. "The origins of sex differences in human behavior: Evolved dispositions versus social roles." American Psychologist 54 (6): 408-423, https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.54.6.408. Go to original source...
    12. Eastwick, P. W., L. B. Luchies, E. J. Finkel, L. L. Hunt. 2014. "The predictive validity of ideal partner preferences: A review and meta-analysis." Psychological Bulletin 140 (3): 623-665, https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032432. Go to original source...
    13. Feingold, A. 1990. "Gender Differences in Effects of Physical Attractiveness on Romantic Attraction: A Comparison Across Five Research Paradigms." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 59: 981-993, https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.59.5.981. Go to original source...
    14. Figueredo, A. J., J. A. Sefcek, D. N. Jones. 2006. "The ideal romantic partner personality." Personality and Individual Differences 41 (3): 431-441, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2006.02.004. Go to original source...
    15. Finkel, E. J., P. W. Eastwick, B. R. Karney, H. T. Reis, S. Sprecher. 2012. "Online dating: A critical analysis from the perspective of psychological science." Psychological Science in the Public Interest 13 (1): 3-66, https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100612436522. Go to original source...
    16. Fiore, A. T., J. S. Donath. 2005. "Homophily in online dating." Pp. 1371-1374 in CHI '05 extended abstracts on Human factors in computing systems, https://doi.org/10.1145/1056808.1056919. Go to original source...
    17. Furnham, A. 2009. "Sex differences in mate selection preferences." Personality and Individual Differences 47 (4): 262-267, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2009.03.013. Go to original source...
    18. Glicksohn, J., H. Golan. 2001. "Personality, cognitive style and assortative mating." Personality and Individual Differences 30 (7): 1199-1209, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-8869(00)00103-3. Go to original source...
    19. Goldthorpe, J. H. 2000. "Outline of a theory of social mobility." Pp. 230-258 in Sociology: Numbers, Narratives, and the Integration of Research and Theory. Oxford University Press.
    20. Hamplová, D. 2006. "Láska, evoluce nebo neviditelná ruka sňatkového trhu?" Pp. 38-45 in D. Hamplová, P. Šalamounová, G. Šamanová (eds.). Životní cyklus. Sociologické a demografické perspektivy. Praha: SOÚ AV ČR.
    21. Hamplová, D. 2009. "Educational Homogamy Among Married and Unmarried Couples in Europe: Does Context Matter?" Journal of Family Issues 30 (1): 28-52, https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X08324576. Go to original source...
    22. Hamplová, D. 2015. "Nesezdané soužití - společné bydlení bez společné peněženky?" Sociologický časopis / Czech Sociological Review 51 (2): 261-278, https://doi.org/10.13060/00380288.2015.51.2.161. Go to original source...
    23. Hamplová, D. 2017. "Opravdu krásné ženy získávají úspěšnější muže?" Pp. 70-85 in P. Matějů, D. Hamplová, P. Hampl, M. Loužek, S. Weidnerová, P. Anýžová, M. Smith. 2017. Moc krásy. Praha: Nakladatelství Karolinum.
    24. Hanushek, E. A., G. Schwerdt, S.Wiederholdf, L. Woessmannbe. 2015. "Returns to skills around the world: Evidence from PIAAC." European Economic Review 73: 103-130, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2014.10.006. Go to original source...
    25. Hašková, H. 2005. "Pracující matky a genderové role ve výsledcích mezinárodního longitudinálního výzkumu." Gender, rovné příležitosti, výzkum 6 (1): 22-27.
    26. Hunt, L. L., P. W. Eastwick, E. J. Finkel. 2015. "Leveling the Playing Field: Longer Acquaintance Predicts Reduced Assortative Mating on Attractiveness." Psychological Science 26 (7): 1046-1053, https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797615579273. Go to original source...
    27. Kalmijn, M. 1998. "Intermarriage and Homogamy: Causes, Patterns, Trends." Annual Review of Sociology 24 (1): 395-421, https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.24.1.395. Go to original source...
    28. Katrňák, T. 2008. Spříznění volbou? Homogamie a heterogamie manželských párů v České rpublice. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství (SLON).
    29. Katrňák, T., P. Fučík. 2009. "Preference výběru partnera. Liší se rozvedení a svobodní ve sňatkových a partnerských preferencích?" Sociológia 41 (25): 437-456.
    30. Katrňák, T., Z. Lechnerová, P. Pakosta, P. Fučík. 2010. Na prahu dospělosti. Partnerství, sex a životní představy mladých v současné české společnosti. Praha: Dokořán.
    31. Kenrick, D. T., E. K. Sadalla, G. Groth, M. R. Trost. 1990. "Evolution, traits, and the stages of human courtship: qualifying the parental investment model." Journal of Personality 58 (1): 97-116, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1990.tb00909.x. Go to original source...
    32. Klímová Chaloupková, J. 2018. "Rozdělení domácí práce a hodnocení jeho spravedlnosti v České republice: existují rozdíly mezi manželskými a nesezdanými páry?" Sociologický časopis / Czech Sociological Review 54 (4): 593-624. Go to original source...
    33. Kopf, D. 2016. "Why Is Interracial Marriage on the Rise?" Priceonomics [online]. [cit. 7. 11. 2018]. Dostupné z: https://priceonomics.com/why-is-interracial-marriage-on-the-rise/.
    34. Kreidl, M. 2010. "Dochází v ČR ke konvergenci hodnotového profilu lidí žijících v manželství a nesezdaném soužití?" Sociální studia 7 (4): 85-100. Go to original source...
    35. Lewak, R. W., J. A. Wakefield, P. F. Briggs. 1985. "Intelligence and personality in mate choice and marital satisfaction." Personality and Individual Differences 6 (4): 471-477, https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(85)90140-0. Go to original source...
    36. Mare, R. D. 1991. "Five decades of educational assortive mating." American Sociological Review 56: 15-32, https://doi.org/10.2307/2095670. Go to original source...
    37. Matějů, P., P. Anýžová. 2015. "Role lidského kapitálu v úspěchu na trhu práce: srovnání šesti evropských zemí participujících na projektu PIAAC." Sociologia (Slovakia) 47 (1): 31-65.
    38. Matějů, P., P. Anýžová. 2017. "Krása jako kapitál: Role atraktivity v úspěchu na trhu práce." Sociologický časopis / Czech Sociological Review 53 (4): 503-531, https://doi.org/10.13060/00380288.2017.53.4.356. Go to original source...
    39. Matějů, P., D. Hamplová, P. Hampl, M. Loužek, S. Weidnerová, P. Anýžová, M. Smith. 2017. Moc krásy. Praha: Nakladatelství Karolinum.
    40. MŠMT. 2018. "Statistika školství. Přijímací řízení ke studiu na vysoké a vyšší oborné škole" [online]. Ministerstvo školství, mládeže a tělovýchovy [cit. 6. 3. 2018]. Dostupné z: http://www.msmt.cz/vzdelavani/skolstvi-v-cr/statistika-skolstvi/prijimaci-rizeni-ke-studiu-na-vysoke-a-vyssi-odborne-skole-1.
    41. Mood, C. 2010. "Logistic Regression: Why We Cannot Do What We Think We Can Do, and What We Can Do About It." European Sociological Review 26 (1): 67-82, https://doiorg/10.1093/esr/jcp006. Go to original source...
    42. Oppenheimer, V. K. 1994. "Women's rising employment and the future of the family in industrial societies." Population and development review 20 (2): 293-342, https://doi.org/10.2307/2137521. Go to original source...
    43. Plomin, R., I. J. Deary. 2015. "Genetics and intelligence differences: five special findings." Molecular Psychiatry 20 (1): 98-108, https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2014.105. Go to original source...
    44. Potarca, G., M. Mills. 2015. "Racial preferences in online dating across European countries." European Sociological Review 31 (3): 326-341, https://doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcu093. Go to original source...
    45. Regan, P., L. Levin, S. Sprecher, S. Christopher, R. Gate. 2000. "Partner Preferences." Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality 12 (3): 1-21, https://doi.org/10.1300/J056v12n03_01. Go to original source...
    46. Reneflot, A. 2006. "A gender perspective on preferences for marriage among cohabitating couples." Demographic Research 15 (article 10): 311-328, https://doi.org/10.4054/DemRes.2006.15.10. Go to original source...
    47. Rushton, J. P., I. R. Nicholson. 1988. "Genetic similarity theory, intelligence, and human mate choice." Ethology and Sociobiology 9 (1): 45-58, https://doi.org/10.1016/0162-3095(88)90004-0. Go to original source...
    48. Schwartz, C. 2013. "Trends and Variation in Assortative Mating: Causes and Consequences." Annual Review of Sociology 39 (1): 451-470, https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-071312-145544. Go to original source...
    49. Skopek, J., F. Schulz, H.-P. Blossfeld. 2011. "Who contacts whom? Educational homophily in online mate selection." European Sociological Review 27 (2): 180-195, https://doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcp068. Go to original source...
    50. Smits, J., H. Park. 2009. "Five Decades of Educational Assortative Mating in 10 East Asian Societies." Social Forces 88 (1): 227-255, https://doi.org/10.1353/sof.0.0241. Go to original source...
    51. Smits, J., W. Ultee, J. Lammers. 1998. "Educational Homogamy in 65 Countries: An Explanation of Differences in Openness Using Country-Level Explanatory Variables." American Sociological Review 63 (2): 264-285, https://doi.org/10.2307/2657327. Go to original source...
    52. Speakman, J. R., K. Djafarian, J. Stewart, D. M. Jackson. 2007. "Assortative mating for obesity." The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 86 (2): 316-323, https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/86.2.316. Go to original source...
    53. Stroebe, W., C. A. Insko, V. D. Thompson, B. D. Layton. 1971. "Effects of physical attractiveness, attitude similarity, and sex on various aspects of interpersonal attraction." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 18 (1): 79-91, https://doi.org/10.1037/h0030710. Go to original source...
    54. Šmídová, I., K. Janoušková, T. Katrňák 2008. "Faktory podmiňující vzdělanostní aspirace a vzdělanostní segregaci dívek a chlapců v českém vzdělávacím systému." Sociologický časopis / Czech Sociological Review 44 (1): 23-54. Go to original source...
    55. Tambs, K., T. Moum. 1992. "No Large Convergence during Marriage for Health, Lifestyle, and Personality in a Large Sample of Norwegian Spouses." Journal of Marriage and Family 54 (4): 957-971, https://doi.org/10.2307/353175. Go to original source...
    56. Vymětalová, S. 2000a. "Partnerský vztah." Pp. 99-133 in L. Fialová, D. Hamplová, M. Kučera, S. Vymětalová. Představy mladých lidí o manželství a rodičovství. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství (SLON).
    57. Vymětalová, S. 2000b. "Partnerský vztah: ideály a reality." Demografie 42 (3): 200-207.
    58. Watson, D., E. C. Klohnen, A. Casillas, E. Nus Simms, J. Haig, D. S. Berry. 2004. "Match makers and deal breakers: Analyses of assortative mating in newlywed couples." Journal of Personality 72 (5): 1029-1068, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-3506.2004.00289.x. Go to original source...
    59. Whitaker, K. L., M. J. Jarvis, R. J. Beeken, D. Boniface, J. Wardle. 2010. "Comparing maternal and paternal intergenerational transmission of obesity risk in a large population-based sample." The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 91 (6): 1560-1567, https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.2009.28838. Go to original source...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content