Effects of Physical Disability and Origin on Mate Evaluation: Perceptions of Opposite-Sex Attractiveness, Emotional Intelligence and Relationship Desirability

ORCID

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Evolutionary psychology posits that aspects of physical appearance may be used by observers as cues in mate evaluation, with characteristics perceived as attractive often being interpreted as cues to health, fertility and genetic quality. However, limited research has examined how physical disabilities, which may not be perceived as aligning with some of the physical characteristics previously associated with attractiveness, affect mate evaluation. The present study (N = 145) investigated perceptions of people with physical disabilities (PWPD) through an evolutionary lens, assessing attractiveness, emotional intelligence, and relationship desirability across short- and long-term mating contexts. The influence of causal attribution (internal vs. external) and perceiver traits were also explored. Consistent with sexually dimorphic predictions from Sexual Strategies Theory, men, placing a premium on physical traits, rated non-disabled women as more attractive and were more likely to seek both short- and long-term relationships with non-disabled women than with disabled women. In contrast, women rated disabled men as more emotionally intelligent than non-disabled men. Attribution of disability origin was not found to significantly influence ratings of any outcome measure. Moreover, participant Social Desirability Bias positively influenced ratings of attractiveness and emotional intelligence. These findings suggest that target physical disability influences mate evaluation in a sex-dependent manner, potentially highlighting sexually dimorphic mating strategies.

Publication Date

2026-07-08

Publication Title

Evolutionary Psychological Science

Acceptance Date

2026-07-01

Deposit Date

2026-10-09

Embargo Period

2027-07-08

Keywords

Attractiveness, Attribution, Mate evaluation, Physical disability, Sexual strategies

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This item is under embargo until 08 July 2027

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