Six ?red flags? in relationships: From being dangerous to gross and being apathetic to unmotivated

Given the emergence of recent factor analytic models of dealbreakers in mate choice, we re-analyzed previously published data revealing 49 negative characteristics (Jonason et al., 2015). Six dealbreaker factors emerged in a sample of American college students (N = 285, 115 men). We called these factors Gross, Addicted, Clingy, Promiscuous, Apathetic, and Unmotivated. Women, and those having more mate value and less interest in casual sex rated dealbreakers less desirable. The most repelling factors in the long-term context were being apathetic and gross, and in the short-term context they were being gross and clingy. We recommend incorporating both desirable and undesirable features of mate preferences in future research.

Automated summary

Based on recent factor analytic models, we re-analyzed previously published data and found 49 negative characteristics that act as dealbreakers in mate choice. Six dealbreaker factors emerged in a sample of American college students, including being gross, addicted, clingy, promiscuous, apathetic, and unmotivated. Women, those with higher mate value, and less interest in casual sex rated these dealbreakers as less desirable. Apathetic and gross characteristics were found to be the most repelling in the long-term context, while gross and clingy characteristics were most repelling in the short-term context. We recommend considering both desirable and undesirable mate preferences in future research.