Mating Strategies Person-Centered: Sociosexuality, Intrasexual Competition, and Narcissism

Sociosexuality (SOI), intrasexual competition (ISC), and narcissism are constructs that overlap and relate to short-term mating. Individuals with greater interest in uncommitted sex tend to be more narcissistic. Still, it is also plausible that one can be interested in uncommitted sex without being narcissistic and competitive, and narcissistic and competitive without being interested in uncommitted sex. However, existing research has restricted these constructs to be uniformly and positively related due to its reliance on variable-centered approaches. Using Latent Profile Analysis on a representative Norwegian sample (N = 1,390; ages 18–87), this study sought to identify whether SOI, ISC and narcissism manifest at uniform levels within individuals, or whether individuals also show differential configurations of these traits. Most (75%) belonged to profiles where all traits moved in concert (Low All, Moderate, High All), whereas for a minority (25%) sociosexuality was disconnected from ISC and narcissism (High Competition–Low Sociosexuality; High Sociosexuality–Low Competition). Sex differences in profile membership were as expected; notably, the High Competition–Low Sociosexuality profile consisted almost entirely of women. Profiles higher in SOI, ISC, and narcissism also showed higher self-perceived mate value and higher minimum standards for traits associated with short-term mating. The findings suggest that SOI, ISC, and narcissism mostly cluster together at matching levels within individuals. We argue that SOI, ISC, and narcissism form a personality constellation aiding individuals in solving adaptive challenges pertaining to short-term mating, whereby SOI “drives” them toward short-term mating, while ISC and narcissism help them “thrive” at short-term mating.