Individual Mate Choice in an Arranged Marriage Context: Evidence from the Standard Cross-cultural Sample

Evolutionary Psychological Science • Vol/Iss. Online • Springer International Publishing • • Published In • Pages: 1-8 •
By Apostolou, Menelaos

Abstract

The author performs tests of hypothesized relationships between arranged marriage and various forms of non-sanctioned mate choice. Overall, the author theorizes that where marriages are arranged, mate choice will be found in higher prevalence of premarital sex, extramarital sex, and rape. Most tests support these relationships in the hypothesized directions, suggesting that strict regulation of marriage provides parents with some, but far from complete control over the mate choice of their offspring.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)Murdock & White (1969)

Hypotheses (14)

HypothesisSupported
Agropastoral subsistence activity will be positively associated with frequency of premarital sex. (3)Not Supported
Arranged marriage will be positively associated with negative attitudes toward female premarital sex. (3)Supported
Arranged marriage will be positively associated with a double standard for tolerance of premarital sex among men and women. (3)Supported
Agropastoral subsistence activity will be positively associated with frequency of extramarital sex among women. (3)Not Supported
Arranged marriage will be positively associated with a double standard regarding negative attitudes toward extramarital sex among men and women. (3)Supported
Arranged marriage will be positively associated with prevalence of rape. (33)Supported
Agropastoral subsistence activity will be positively associated with attitudes of acceptance towards rape. (3)Supported
Arranged marriage will be positively associated with frequency of premarital sex. (3)Supported
Agropastoral subsistence activity will be positively associated with negative attitudes toward female premarital sex. (3)Not Supported
Agropastoral subsistence activity will be positively associated with a double standard for tolerance of premarital sex among men and women. (3)Not Supported
Arranged marriage will be positively associated with frequency of extramarital sex among women. (3)Not Supported
Agropastoral subsistence activity will be positively associated with a double standard regarding negative attitudes toward extramarital sex among men and women. (3)Not Supported
Agropastoral subsistence activity will be positively associated with prevalence of rape. (33)Not Supported
Arranged marriage will be positively associated with attitudes of acceptance towards rape. (3)Not Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: jack.dunnington