Experimental Tests of the Role of Ideal Partner Preferences in Relationships

Despite the large literature on ideal partner preferences, the consequences of ideals have rarely been tested experimentally. We developed a conditioning paradigm that paired positive experiences with novel ("Reditry," Study 1) and familiar ("youthfulness," Study 2) traits to reliably manipulate ideal partner preferences among participants attracted to men. We then conducted the first experimental tests of four theoretical perspectives: <i>motivated projection</i> (ideals cause the belief that a partner possesses the trait); <i>preference-matching (trait-weighting)</i> (ideals cause satisfaction with a partner to the extent that people think their partner possesses the trait); <i>perceiver effects</i> (ideals cause people to believe everyone possesses that trait); and <i>situation selection</i> (ideals cause people to seek situations where they can meet partners with the trait). The motivated projection and situation selection accounts received very strong support, the perceiver effects account received some support, and the preference-matching (trait-weighting) account received support in one study. Implications for motivational processes in relationships are discussed.