Mate selection in Jordan: Effects of sex, socio-economic status, and culture

The present study replicated Buss et al.'s (2001) international survey of mate preferences for long-term relationships within an Arab Jordanian context. As predicted, the findings confirmed the existence of commonly reported sex differences, in that our sample of Jordanian male college students showed greater interest in potential mates' good looks and youth compared to female students, who displayed greater preference for mates exhibiting economic ability and commitment. The findings further indicated that women's differential preferences for resource- and commitment-related attributes were mainly determined by sex rather than by socioeconomic status. The study also found that Jordanians value the same attributes that have been universally considered important to have in a mate, namely love, kindness, and a pleasing disposition. Belonging to a developing traditional society, this sample of Jordanian students, as anticipated, included religiosity and refinement/neatness among their top preferences. Also, the study corroborated the casually observed social phenomenon of aversion to marrying divorcees among Jordanians, with men in this sample being particularly disinclined to seek this type of mate. The findings are discussed in the context of some evolutionary and sociocultural notions posited in explanations of mating behavior.