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Secondary sexual characteristics that are consistently noticed by individuals of the opposite sex (e.g., female breasts) have been shown to be linked to individual qualities, such as health and/or fertility. However, it is not clear whether homosexual individuals seek similar traits in their potential partners as their heterosexual counterparts. Here we investigated preferences and choices for female buttock size, breast size and shape, and WHR among non-heterosexual women and heterosexual men in two diverse populations, Brazil and the Czech Republic. On average, participants mostly preferred younger-looking female breasts, medium to bigger buttock and breast size, and WHR of 0.7. However, men preferred bigger buttocks and breasts, and smaller WHR than women. Possibly, non-heterosexual women have lower motivation to search for indicators of fecundity and fertility in their potential female partners. Further, Brazilians preferred larger breasts and buttocks than Czechs, although there was no difference in preferred breast shape and WHR. We also found evidence for preferred homogamy and an imprinting-like effect among men and women. In general, preferences differed from actual choices. In sum, personal experience (imprinting-like effect), own characteristics (own physical traits, sexual orientation) and external factors (population) can calibrate individual differences in preferences for specific physical traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personality is important for social and romantic life, but little is known about personality preferences in non-heterosexual individuals. Here we investigated individual differences in personality (Five Factor Model) of an ideal and actual partner, and in self-reported personality among heterosexual and non-heterosexual men and women in two populations (Brazil, the Czech Republic). In an online survey participated 701 men (316 non-heterosexuals) and 1118 women (240 non-heterosexuals), who reported five personality dimensions of their own, their ideal and, if coupled, actual partner. Results showed that participants, on average, desired high scores on all socially desirable personality traits in their ideal partners. As predicted from parental investment theory, heterosexual women showed highest demands, followed by non-heterosexual women and non-heterosexual men, who had higher demands than heterosexual men. However, actual partners did not reach the ideal standards in any of the groups. Further, preferences and choices were partly influenced by familiarity, or the distribution of the given characteristic in the given population. Thus, mating psychology can be influenced by many factors, such as sex, sexual orientation, and population. Combining cross-cultural research with focus on different sexual orientations can reveal inter-individual differences in mate preferences and choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]