On the other hand, it should be some relief to those of us not blessed with cover-model looks that a large percentage of people cite personality as the most important factor in choosing their partners. Though people tend to be attracted to others with personalities like theirs, the general traits cited as most important are openness, sociability, emotional stability, a sense of humor, and receptivity (willing to favorably accept behaviors and/or emotions).
“By the Way, Have I Shown You My Porsche?”
For many years, women were found to rate men’s economic resources as one of the most important requirements in a partner (Buss, 1989b). This was consistent across cultures. However, newer research has shown that men want their female partners to have financial resources as well (Buss et al., 2001). Perhaps this has changed as women have gained greater access to increasing their own financial resources.