Definition
Strictly, mate choice copying occurs when an observer views a target with a mate and the target is more likely to be chosen as a mate by the observer because of the presence of the current mate. More broadly, the phenomenon is related to social learning of mate choice and preferences whereby information about the target’s mate, or the absence of a target’s mate, affects an observer’s preference for and potential choice of the target.
Introduction
It is extremely unlikely that we are born with a template for the ideal mate. Indeed, mate preferences in humans can be learned and change with experience. One source of learning comes from the social domain: observing other people’s preferences and partnerships. In recent years, a number of studies have highlighted social learning effects in women’s mate preferences and mate choice.
Why would women be interested in the mate choice...
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References
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Little, A. (2016). Mate Choice Copying. In: Weekes-Shackelford, V., Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_82-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_82-1
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