Sex, lies, and partner choice : an investigation into perceived mate value and its factor structure, content, concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validities

Author

John E. Edlund

Publication Date

2008

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Sagarin, Brad J., 1966-

Degree Name

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Legacy Department

Department of Psychology

LCSH

Men--Sexual behavior; Women--Sexual behavior

Abstract

Mate value is an important concept in both the assortative mating and evolutionary psychology literatures. A valid self-report measure of mate value would be of tremendous utility to evolutionary psychology and beyond. To this end, three studies investigated the factor structure and validity of the Mate Value Inventory as well as the validity of the Mate Value Single Item Scale. Study one tested five possible factor structures for the MVI with a five-factor structure providing the best fit to the data. Additional data validated the five-factor MVI and the MVSIS by looking at content, concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validities. Study two applied the validated MVI and the MVSIS to the domain of mating preferences. Components of mate value moderated ideal and minimum mate characteristics as well as some of the ways in which a participant designed a mate under budgetary constraints. Study three applied the MVI and MVSIS to the domain of sex differences in jealousy and investigated whether mate value would moderate jealous responses to imagined infidelities. Several components of mate value moderated jealous responses to different jealousy scenarios. In conclusion, although the MVI and MVSIS have some evidence of validity and provide some utility as moderators in two evolutionary psychology domains, much work remains to be done in obtaining a truly valid self-report measure of mate value.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [141]-150).

Recommended Citation

Edlund, John E., "Sex, lies, and partner choice : an investigation into perceived mate value and its factor structure, content, concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validities" (2008). Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations. 4894.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/4894

Extent

x, 187 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text