AUSTIN, Texas, March 24 (UPI) -- Women want men who are good providers, attractive and devoted, but they calibrate their standards based on how attractive they are, a U.S. study suggests.
David Buss of The University of Texas and Todd Shackelford of Florida Atlantic University found four categories of characteristics women seek in a partner -- good genes, reflected in desirable physical traits; resources; the desire to have children and good parenting skills and loyalty and devotion.
"When reviewing the qualities they desire in romantic partners, women gauge what they can get based on what they got," Buss says in a statement. "And women who are considered physically attractive maintain high standards for prospective partners across a variety of characteristics."
The study, published in the Evolutionary Psychology, also says most women attempt to secure the best combination of the qualities they desire from the same man, but the researchers say a small portion of women who do not find a partner with all the qualities may trade some characteristics for others.
The researchers said the characteristics men desired in a partner did not vary based on their own physical attractiveness.
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