By: Krystal Gamez, Alex Loera, Blake Mellgren

Young, J.A., Critelli, J.W., & Keith, K.W. (2005). Male age preferences for short-term and long-term mating. Sexualities, Evolution and Gender, 7, 83-93.

148 males from a large southwestern university in the USA Male age preferences for

short-term and long-term mating

Age range from 17 to 29 years old The mean age was 19.83

All had to be 30 yrs or younger, not married, without children, and heterosexual

Created a “cultural scenario” separate from the norms of American culture and society Created the new “world” with elements of

sexual fantasy so that a context for “making age preference choices” would manifest itself

Allows for closer approximation to the effects of evolutionary predispositions

Participants read hypothetical scenario placing them in “Arunta” culture Were told females at age 13 were considered

adults Told it was not uncommon to have one-night

sexual encounters, but that marriage was “for life” both occur in equal amounts

Asked about: If it would be easy to act as an adult the

“Arunta” Culture? What age would your bride be if having an

arranged marriage? What age would you “live independently” of

parents? If someone was arranging a one-night sexual

encounter what age of female would you prefer? Also asked to describe reasoning behind

answers ( 1 and 3 buffer questions)

“Males preferred younger females for long term sexual relationships than for a brief sexual encounter”

One-Night Sexual Encounter males prefer

females to be 17.76 (mean) years of age

2.07 years younger than males

Marriage males prefer females to be 16.87 (mean) years of age

3.02 years younger than males

Max future reproductive value is younger than age of optimal fertility When looking for short term relationship

males look for older females When looking for long term relationship males

want a younger aged female Provides support for “partial genetic

control” for age preferences in short and long term partners

Should ask older males May have overemphasized young rather

than older females in study Stating that adult is 13 (priming?)

Only used university students Should do some cross-cultural analysis

At what age should a woman be married?

a) 25 b) 30 c) 35 d) 40 e) No Age Limit

At what age should a man be married?

a) 25 b) 30 c) 35 d) 40 e) No Age Limit

If a male pill was created would you ask your husband/boyfriend to take it?

a) Yes b) No

If a male pill were available, would you take it?

a) Yes b) No

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/men-women-on-relationships/6lf1mzh

Do males prefer women to be _____ when looking for a brief sexual encounter?

a) Younger b) Same Age c) Older

How many years younger do males prefer their partner for a long-term relationship?

a) 1.5 years b) 2.07 years c) 3.02 years d) 4.04 years