• What conclusions do the researchers draw from their results? 
• Are the conclusions important? Why or why not? 

Are the conclusions important? 

Kenrick et al. discussed their findings in terms of predictions made by the cultural and evolutionary theories.  They concluded that, although both theories account for the adult data, only one theory adequately accounts for the adolescent results they obtained. 

Even though the results supported one theory, they still don't really explain why people have particular dating and mate preferences.  Kenrick et al. did speculate about the underlying mechanism for adolescent male preferences, however.  According to the evolutionary perspective, males and females should desire a mate (or a date) who has ideal reproductive characteristics.  Young adult females - those who adolescent males preferred in Kenrick et al.'s study - tend to have wider hips than adolescent females.  Wider hips are traditionally associated with successful childbearing.  Possibly the adolescent males preferred older females because of their physically apparent fertility. 

Evolutionary and cultural perspectives are often contrasted.  Kenrick et al. concluded their report by arguing that these two perspectives might be more complementary than contradictory.  They argued that humans evolved as social creatures who are sensitive to cultural norms.  Hence, rather than pitting these two theories against each other, researchers should consider how the two should be integrated to shed light on various phenomena, including mate selection.