Finding Mr. Wrong: Divergences in Mate Preferences and Mate Selection

When asked to choose among secure or insecure partner prototypes, research has shown that people tend to select secure individuals as their first choice. Despite this pattern, in reality not everyone selects secure partners. The goal of the current study was to examine some of the underlying processes of insecure partner selection. Experiment 1 used a cognitive load manipulation to determine if limited mental resources lead people to find insecure partners more attractive. Experiment 2 examined the role of flattery in the selection of insecure partners. Experiment 3 focused on the self-presentation strategies of insecure individuals that may make them attractive to potential mates. I found that flattery, but not cognitive distraction, increased attraction to insecure partners. Experiment 3 demonstrated that insecure individuals presented themselves as kind, humorous, and interesting people to potential mates. Anxious people also seemed as secure as genuinely secure people. These results suggest that positive feedback from insecure people makes them more attractive as partners and also that insecure individuals have numerous dating tactics that they may use to win over dating partners.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Brumbaugh, Claudia Chloe

Contributors dc:contributor

• Fraley, R. Chris

• Psychology, Personality

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3290186

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/82133