An Adjective Measure of Sexual Strategies

Abstract

The An Adjective Measure of Sexual Strategies (AMSS) scale was developed to systematically explore individual differences in human sexuality and mating tendencies, grounding its development in evolutionary personality theory and the traditional lexical approach. The scale is comprised of formal English adjectives that possess an explicit sexual connotation. Participants rate the degree of accuracy with which each adjective describes them on a 7-point Likert-type scale. The ultimate goal of the scale is to provide a comprehensive, descriptive measure for assessing the fundamental dimensions of individuals’ sexual strategies.

Keywords

evolutionary psychology, sexual strategies, mating, individual differences, adjectives, psychometrics, lexical approach, personality dimensions, sexuality

Authors

Schmitt, D.P., Buss, D.M.

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Purpose

The primary purpose of the AMSS is to provide a robust, descriptive measure of individuals’ sexual strategies. This measure addresses the theoretical gap concerning the role of sexuality as a critical dimension of individual differences, particularly within the framework of evolutionary personality psychology.

The authors aimed to move beyond nebulous definitions of the sexuality lexicon by systematically limiting the analysis to formal English adjectives that are widely understood and carry an explicit sexual connotation, thereby capturing the key psychological descriptors relevant to reproductive and mating behavior.

Construct

The AMSS measures sexual strategies, which are viewed as pivotal dimensions of individual differences shaped by evolutionary pressures surrounding reproduction. The theoretical foundation posits that variation in sexuality is often the target of selection and affects solutions to adaptive problems associated with mating.

The scale operationalizes these strategies by identifying and measuring seven distinct sexual dimensions of person description, which the authors explored in relation to, or as potentially subsumed by, the established Big Five personality model.

Validity

The scale displayed varying degrees of construct validity, based on the detailed analysis provided for the Sexual Attractiveness subscale. Evidence supporting convergent validity was found through a positive correlation with a measure of Physical Self-Esteem (r(84) = 0.32, p < .01).

Evidence supporting discriminant validity was demonstrated by the Sexual Attractiveness subscale not correlating significantly with Social Desirability or with General Relationship Satisfaction in a dating couples sample. However, limitations were noted: the scale did not show significant cross-person convergence (self-ratings did not align significantly with dating partner observer-ratings), and it lacked discriminant validity concerning General Self-Esteem, suggesting a significant relationship between self-reported Sexual Attractiveness and general self-regard. Overall, the scale displayed only moderate amounts of construct validity.

Reliability

The Sexual Attractiveness subscale demonstrated high levels of reliability. The measure possessed high internal reliability, evidenced by a Cronbach’s alpha (α) of 0.91. Furthermore, it showed a high level of temporal reliability (test-retest reliability), r(49) = 0.92, p < .001, indicating stability of the measure over time.

Factor Analysis

The development of the AMSS relied on the systematic application of the lexical approach to distill the complete sexuality lexicon into core dimensions. Although the specific factor analysis results are not detailed in the summary, the scale structure is based on the identification of seven distinct sexual dimensions or subscales, which emerged from the analysis of the collected sexual descriptors.

Instrument

Test Type: Adjective Checklist / Self-Report Measure

Format: Participants indicate the degree of accuracy they perceive for each adjective on a 7-point scale.

Language Available: English (Formal English adjectives)

Population Group: Adults

Age Group: Adult (Specific samples included dating partners)

Population Details: Developed based on analyses of descriptors understood by a majority of the general population.

Test Methodology: Combined traditional lexical approach with theoretical insights from evolutionary personality psychology to select valid and explicit sexual descriptors.

Keywords

sexual attractiveness, temporal reliability, construct validity, Physical Self-Esteem, Social Desirability, mating strategies, psychometrics

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Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in source.

Correspondence Address: Not provided in source.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Test Year: 2000

Permissions and Fee: Information regarding current permissions and associated fees is not provided in the source material. Users should contact the primary author (Schmitt, D.P.) or the journal publisher for usage rights.

Reference’s

• Schmitt, D.P., & Buss, D.M. (2000). Sexual dimensions of person description: Beyond or subsumed by the Big Five? Journal of Research in Personality, 34, 141-177.

• Buss, D. M. (1991). Evolutionary personality psychology. Annual Review of Psychology, 42, 459-491.

• Phinney, J. S., & Gough, H. G. (1984). Physical Self-Esteem scale (referenced in psychometric analysis).

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Items of the An Adjective Measure of Sexual Strategies

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

The source content provides the description and psychometrics of the scale but does not include the list of specific adjectives that constitute the measure.