“Mate copying” (sometimes called”mate-choice” copying) is the process where a person is considered a possible romantic partner due to the fact that they have a history of relationship.
Mate copying is a type of non-independent mate choice that results from social learning. One gathers information on mate-related characteristics of the potential partner by watching their romantic interactions with somebody who is not. “Coping” or the “copying” part refers to the development of a preference towards one particular partner because people similar to you have shown an interest in them previously.
The idea behind this is that those who are currently in a relationship are “road-tested.” It is believed that they have demonstrated they have at least some desirable romantic traits due to their previous experience. It may sound odd. However, there’s a lot of scientific proof that shows mate copying is a reality.
Although the issue is widespread, however, we are aware that it is frequent in young women.
So, what’s the significance of the practice of copying mates? While it’s not evident, it does have some value. One reason is that people who seek mates (men and women) are able to discern the “good” (or at least acceptable) companion. In a way, the person who has the most previous experience is a “safer bet.”
Another benefit is that this data is not expensive. Instead of undergoing the costly process of trial and error to determine a suitable relationship lover (expending cash and time on date nights), the copier for mates gathers similar information by observing others.
A man who is holding hands or embracing a woman is probably thought by the woman to be an acceptable relationship partner. The guy sitting in the corner looking at his phone might or might not be.
“The Wedding Ring Effect”“The Wedding Ring Effect,” in the way it is referred to in press, refers to the notion that by simply wearing a wedding ring, a man has somehow been infused with many desirable traits.
If you understand the way in which the process of copying mates works, this could appear to be an entirely rational extension. But it’s an utterly false assumption.
Studies in the seminal field, as well as a plethora of subsequent studies, have proved that mate copying is a reality in non-human animals, and there’s an array of evidence to suggest that this phenomenon is prevalent in humans. But, having a higher attraction to someone who is sexually “pre-approved” is very different from being a lover of someone who’s married.
Research has shown that men who are not romantically unavailable are deemed to be better attractive and attractive as long-term partners. However, there are other strong reasons not to seek (or even want) the marriage of a man.
One reason is that married men will likely be more difficult to romance “obtain” than someone who is not married. A married man is likely to be hesitant to break his marriage vows, and separating him away from his partner will likely be met with abrasive resistance.
In addition, there are all kinds of social rules against dating a married person. This could cause social distancing or even exclusion.
For one of the largest and most authentic researches on mate copying, Swedish scientists conducted live interactions with men wearing wedding rings and men who didn’t. After having spoken to and met with each male (separately), each woman was questioned on a variety of questions regarding the men she had recently encountered. For instance, the woman was asked to give her first impressions of each male or their appearance, and so on.
There weren’t any major differences between the two males regarding how women viewed them. However, the men who did not wear wedding rings were, on average, deemed more attractive in terms of physical appearance and general.
The women suggested that they’d rather go to dinner with, have sex with, begin a relationship with, or invite home men who weren’t wearing wedding rings. It’s not a surprise; however, it does indicate that although having a romantic relationship can make a man attractive in a way, getting married isn’t.
In line with this notion, research conducted in the US found that women looking at photos of males discovered him to be more attractive to the romantic and generally attractive in the case of romantically open as opposed to if he lived with a partner who was romantically involved.
