Introduction
Studies conducted have shown that, people tend to prefer to have partners who are kind, trustworthy but with non dominant personality traits. However these studies did not clearly indicate to whom these traits were directed. They did not specify whether the kindness, trust, and non dominance were to be directed toward; oneself, other classes of people or both. This in essence is the main problem being addressed in this study.
Main body
The article’s background information though short, is concise and directly pin points the conclusion of past studies, identifies its short falls and ultimately states what needs to be done. The background information of the article details that, past studies found out that, people prefer to have extremely kind and trustworthy but non dominant mates. The information given on the background further pin points ambiguity in the past studies when it comes to the manner in which subjects interpret terms like “kind” and “dominant” with respect to the behavioral acts that exemplify these traits. Therefore, this information given on the background, justifies the question, “To who are this behavioral acts directed towards: oneself, other classes of people or both?”
Data collection methods employed in this study involved identifying a sample population of enrolled undergraduates the researcher called “subjects”, 58 of who were women with a mean age of 18.9 years and 73 men with a mean age of 19 years. What then followed were an operational definition of trait constructs, for instance, Kindness could be taken to connote; affectionate, considerate, and generous and many others. Trustworthy could stand for: committed, dependable, devoted, just to mention. While, dominance stood for; aggressive, assertive, brave and many others. A survey was then conducted on the subjects where they were required to rate each trait term, that is kindness, trustworthy, and dominance. The ratings were for; first, the behavior the romantic partner would direct toward oneself, and second, the behavior the romantic ideal partner would direct toward other members of the ideal partner’s same sex. The ratings were on a seven point scale. The collected data was then analyzed in a mixed ANOVA with behavioral targets and trait entered as behavioral measures. The data collection and analysis techniques employed in this experiment very appropriate for this hypothesis because, the survey composed of the best sample group and captured all the test questions on the hypothesis.
The results of the experiments conducted are as follows; first, there are differences in trait preferences across behavioral targets. Second, there are preferred personality profiles within each behavioral target category. Lastly, unspecified trait preferences are similar to self directed preferences. The above mentioned results are interpreted as follows; Mate preferences for personality traits differ with regard to who the behavioral acts were directed to. Both sexes therefore, preferred partners who were extremely kind and trustworthy when these behaviors are directed toward themselves or their friends and family rather than, to other class of individuals. Notably, both sexes preferred mates who portray higher levels of dominance toward other members of the partners same sex though not to family and friends, rather than to other behavioral target categories. In addition, in experiment 2, women preferred men who are dominant over other men rather than kind. Men on the other hand preferred women who show higher levels of dominance toward women than to other class of targets. The second experiment further shows that, mate preferences for unspecified personality traits are similar to preferences expressed when the behavioral target is one’s self.
It is important to mention that most of the results obtained from the experiments were actually expected outcomes. However some results were not anticipated. First and foremost, the outcomes were expected to justify the fact that, mates preferences for personality traits differ depending on who the behavioral acts were directed towards. Furthermore, it was anticipated that, both sexes would prefer partners who were extremely kind and trustworthy only when this acts are directed to themselves and their friends and family rather than any class of individuals. Mates also preferred partners who show high levels of dominance over other members of partners same sex. However, it was not expected that, men would prefer partners who show dominance toward other women than toward any other class of target. The results presented in this study were correctly analyzed, because the technique used for analysis was the best choice.
The discussion given comprehensively illuminates the interpretation of the results. Moreover, it has given a deeper insight on the research findings through an in depth explanations given on each one of them.
Conclusion
To sum it up, the study demonstrates that, ideal standards for the romantic partners are importantly qualified by the targets of behavioral acts. In a nutshell, the hypothesis of the study was that, mate preference based on personality traits would change depending on the specific target of a partner’s behavioral acts. The two experiments conducted proved that, indeed people prefer partners who are extremely kind and trustworthy when these behaviors are directed toward themselves or their friends and family rather than to other class of individuals. Furthermore, both sexes prefer partners who direct dominance toward other members of the partners same sex though not family and friends.