Exploring Mate Value across Two Studies: From Perceptions to Enhancement (original) (raw)

Study 1 followed a dual perceptive approach and compared romantic partners' mate value and mate value discrepancy to determine who the "better half" was in relationships. Results indicated both partners are the "better half" in relationships. Males and females perceived their partners to have higher mate values than themselves in more established relationships. Results also revealed a ceiling effect for commitment in engaged/married relationships, in that commitment no longer influenced perceptions of partner mate value in stabilized relationships. Thus, Study 2 explored perceptions of communication satisfaction and nonverbal immediacy and their influence on perceptions of partner mate value. Results found only communication satisfaction predicted how individuals viewed their partners' mate value.