Table 1.

Methodological approaches to measuring mate value

Approach	Study	Measures	Length	Sample items
General (self-perceived)	Edlund & Sagarin, 2014	The mate value scale	4 items	“Overall, how would you rate your level of desirability as a partner on the following scale?” “Overall, how would members of the opposite sex rate your level of desirability as a partner on the following scale?”
	Landolt et al., 1995	Self-perceived mating success scale	8 items	“Members of the opposite sex that I like, tend to like me back.” “I can have as many sexual partners as I choose.” “Members of the opposite sex are attracted to me.”
	Sela et al., 2017	Self-perceived short-term mate value	1 item for self	“How desirable are you for a short-term uncommitted relationship (e.g., a one-night stand)?”
Combined: dimensional and general (self-perceived)	Brase & Guy, 2004	Single question of desirability with description of factors	1 item	“Many people look at specific characteristics in choosing their potential marriage partners. Some common desirable traits include: Being socially exciting, age, being physically attractive, having a good sense of humor, having good financial/professional status, being of high intelligence, being in good health, and liking children. Overall, how would you rate your level of desirability as a partner (p. 476)”
	Jonason et al., 2019, 2020	Li’s Mate Value scale	20 items loading on 3 factors	“My physical attractiveness is the main reason why people are romantically interested in me.” “My friends are proud to recommend me to others as a long-term relationship partner.” “Getting a desirable girlfriend/boyfriend seems hopeless to me.” Factors: Short- and long-term mating attractiveness, general undesirability
	Conroy-Beam et al., 2019a	Euclidean distance of self from average mate preferences	5 items	Intelligence, kindness, health, physical attractiveness, and financial prospects
	Csajbók et al., 2023 (the current study)	Short- and long-term mate desirability	4 items	Short-term desirability: “If you were single, how easy would it be for you to find a short-term mate for romance?” “If you were single, how easy would it be for you to find a short-term mate for only sex?” long-term desirability: “If you were single, how easy would it be for you to find a potential long-term mate?” “If you were single, how easy would it be for you to find a long-term relationship potentially leading to marriage?”
Dimensional (self-perceived)	Fisher et al., 2008	Components of Mate Value Survey	22 items loading on 7 factors	“Members of the opposite sex are attracted to me.” “I have a large network of friends” “I would make a good parent” “I have a tendency to display my wealth” “I would like members of the opposite sex to consider me physically attractive” “After I date someone they often want to date me again” “I often worry about not having a date” Factors: Views of the opposite sex, Sociability, Parenting, Wealth, Looks, Relationship history, Fear of failure
	Kirsner et al., 2003	Mate Value Inventory	17 items, the ratings are summed up to an overall value	ambitious, attractive face, attractive body, desires children, emotionally stable, enthusiastic about sex, faithful to partner, financially secure, generous, good sense of humor, healthy, independent, intelligent, kind and understanding, loyal, responsible, and sociable
	e.g., Csajbók & Berkics, 2017; Goodwin et al., 2012; Regan, 1998	Using the same factors for ideal partner and self-evaluation	Depends on the included N of factors	Csajbók & Berkics, 2017: Warmth, Attractiveness, Status, Intellect, Stability, Passion, Dominance; Goodwin et al., 2012: Caring, Socially attractive, Passionate romantic, Adventurer, Mature confident; Regan, 1998: Interpersonal skill and responsiveness, Intellect, Physical attractiveness, Social status, Interpersonal power, Family orientation
By a proxy (objective or other-perceived)	Singh, 2002	Waist-to-hip ratio	(short)
	Fisher et al., 2008	N of past partners	(short)
	Feinberg, 2008	Voice and facial features	(can be costly)
	Pflüger et al., 2012	N of children during their lifespan	(short, but can be costly)
	Buss & Shackelford, 2008; Clark, 2004; Montoya, 2008	Physical attractiveness rated by independent raters	(can be costly)