Income hypergamy preference
Preference for a partner with equal or higher economic rank. Historically female-typical in surveys.
The modern quantitative nuance is not 'women want richer men, period'. As women's own income and education rise, strict economic hypergamy yields to educational and cultural homogamy — similarity in cognitive class and lifestyle — provided the safety floor is met (Fisman et al. 2006 and later matching studies).
Also called marrying up, status hypergamy.
Incident edges
Observational · Moderate
Disposable income→Income hypergamy preference
As the income gap closes, strict economic hypergamy yields to educational and cultural homogamy. Incentives, not a frozen instinct.
Observational · Moderate
Net worth→Income hypergamy preference
Assets change the feasible set in a mating market. That is not a new instinct.
Observational · Low
Sociosexuality (SOI-R)→Income hypergamy preference
Unrestricted sociosexuality is not a stealth measure of 'women want richer men'.
Cases
Sources
- R. Fisman et al. (2006). Gender differences in mate selection: Evidence from a speed dating experiment
- D. M. Buss et al. (1989). Sex differences in human mate preferences: Evolutionary hypotheses tested in 37 cultures
- L. Penke et al. (2008). Beyond global sociosexual orientations: A more differentiated look at sociosexuality and its effects on courtship and romantic relationships