THE IMPORTANCE OF MATE ATTRACTION FOR INTRASEXUAL COMPETITION IN MEN AND WOMEN

Buss (1988a), using an evolutionary perspective, tested hypotheses abo ut intrasexual competition within the context of behavior to attract m ates. He found sex differences in intrasexual competition predicted by the goal of mate attraction. We used Buss's methodology while asking subjects about the acts they performed to compete with members of the same sex, rather than about acts for attracting potential mates. Compe titive acts were nominated and placed into 26 tactics in Study 1. Stud y 2 obtained self-reports of male and female act performance frequency . Study 3 replicated Study 2 using observer-reports. Study 4 obtained act effectiveness judgments for men and women. We largely replicated B uss's results despite the focus on intrasexual competition instead of mate attraction. Thus, we provide strong evidence for the importance o f mate attraction in intrasexual competition.