Research article summary (published 30 May 2009):

Partner preferences across the life span: online dating by older adults.

Full Abstract

Stereotypes of older adults as withdrawn or asexual fail to recognize that romantic relationships in later life are increasingly common. The authors analyzed 600 Internet personal ads from 4 age groups: 20-34, 40-54, 60-74, and 75+ years. Predictions from evolutionary theory held true in later life, when reproduction is no longer a concern. Across the life span, men sought physical attractiveness and offered status-related information more than women; women were more selective than men and sought status more than men. With age, men desired women increasingly younger than themselves, whereas women desired older men until ages 75 and over, when they sought men younger than themselves. (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved.

Author information

Author/s: Alterovitz, Sheyna Sears-Roberts (SS); Mendelsohn, Gerald A (GA);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, USA. sheyna.alterovitz(-atsign-)gmail.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article

Journal: Psychology and aging (Psychol Aging), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jun; vol 24 (issue 2) : pp 513-7

Dates: Created 2009/06/02; Completed 2009/07/16;

PMID: 19485668, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 7/25/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Advertising as Topic - methods Age Distribution Age Factors Aged Aging - psychology Choice Behavior Courtship - psychology Esthetics - psychology Evolution

Female Humans Internet - utilization Interpersonal Relations Male Middle Aged Questionnaires Sex Factors Social Class Young Adult

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