Artists and Mate Preferences: The Effects of Being a Painter and Intellectuality

Abstract

This research investigates the influence of being a painter and intellectuality on mate preferences. Two studies were conducted to explore the relationships between being a painter and mate preferences. Study 1 analyzed 192 participants who rated painters, ideal partners, and themselves using a set of adjectives. Results revealed significant correlations between the cognitive abilities attributed to painters and the desirable traits sought in an ideal partner, particularly among women. Consequently, the second study focused exclusively on female participants and considered intellectuality as a broad, overarching concept. Study 2 focused on 150 female participants and used a between-subjects design to manipulate the target's occupation (painter vs. civil servant) and intellectuality (high vs. low). Findings showed an interaction effect, indicating that low intellectual-civil servant condition was the least preferred. These studies suggest that intellectuality is a key factor in the appeal of painters, particularly for women.