PERSONALITY VS. LOOKS: NEW REALITY SHOW & MATE SELECTION EXPERT EXPLORE ISSUE -- As Foxs Mr. Personality conducts an experiment, Steven Sacks unmasks what real-life singles need to know

Personality is more important than looks, or is it? This question will be explored on Fox's new reality dating show, Mr. Personality. To shed more light on the looks versus personality issue, mate selection expert Steven Sacks (AKA Mr. Mate Map) offers his real-life perspectives.

Personality is more important than looks, or is it? This question will be explored on Fox's new reality dating show, Mr. Personality. The show will explore the personality versus looks issue during the seven-episode series which premieres Monday, April 21. To shed more light on the subject, mate selection expert Steven Sacks offers his real-life perspectives.

"Personality and physical looks are both extremely important criteria in selecting a mate," says Sacks, author of The Mate Map: The Right Tool for Choosing the Right Mate (http://www.matemap.com). "Neither aspect should be compromised. If you're not compatible with someone in terms of personality and physical attraction, then you should not be in a relationship with him or her. Each connection is necessary to have a lasting and fulfilling relationship."

While both are vital components of a successful relationship, isn't personality more important than looks?

"Yes, ultimately, personality is more important than looks," declares Sacks. "The reason why is that in order to get along with your mate on a day-to-day basis, your personalities have to be highly compatible, or the relationship will not last. There's simply no getting around it. With looks, if your mate is not a hunk or a beauty queen, you may not be thrilled, but you can deal with it."

The importance of personality versus looks becomes even more important over time.

"The most consistent comment I hear from singles that are more than 40 years old is that personality becomes increasingly more important to them versus looks as they've gotten older," says Sacks, also known as Mr. Mate Map.

While the importance question has a clear cut answer, there is still some gray area surrounding the personality versus looks issue.

"Because personality is more important than looks, many people mistakenly believe that basing relationship decisions on physical attraction is shallow," says Sacks. "However, it's important to keep in mind that physical attraction is an internal need, and in itself should not be considered shallow. It is only shallow when we place too much emphasis on it."

On Mr. Personality, Hayley Arp, 26, will choose one man as her love interest among a group of twenty masked men. She will only see his face once she makes her final decision.

"What's great about this set up is that it forces her to focus on personality before looks," says Sacks, an avid viewer of reality dating shows. "In a real-life dating situation you can't ignore the looks aspect because once you see the person, you form an opinion. You know within ten seconds if you find someone physically attractive. It takes much longer to get to know someone's personality."

So what happens if the show's heroine is not physically attracted to her unmasked man?

"If Hayley continues dating her 'Mr. Personality' and decides that she's not physically attracted to him, she should end the relationship," says Sacks. "No matter how compatible a couple is in terms of personality, this high level of compatibility cannot compensate for a complete lack of physical attraction."

Steven Sacks is the creator of the Mate Map--a new technique that helps single men and women select the right mate for them. He's also a relationship coach and speaker, as well as an avid viewer of reality dating shows. Mr. Sacks splits his time between his hometown of New York City and Durham, North Carolina, with his girlfriend--the first Mate Map success story.

Steven Sacks and his Mate Map technique have already been featured in such publications as the Chicago Tribune, New York Post, and The Independent (UK). Mr. Sacks is also a guest columnist for Seventeen magazine.

"The Mate Map is the most effective tool for determining compatibility and measuring what's important in a relationship that I've ever seen."
- Dr. Bonnie Eaker Weil, best-selling author of Make Up, Dont Break Up

The Mate Map: The Right Tool for Choosing the Right Mate (Banner, ISBN 0-97-138870-9) is available at Amazon.com and by calling toll-free, 1-800-MATE-MAP. To receive the free tip sheet "6 Secrets for Selecting the Right Mate," visit http://www.matemap.com
            
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CONSIDER STEVEN SACKS AS A NEW SOURCE

Steven Sacks is always available to provide outspoken quotes on every current or future reality dating show, including 'Mr. Personality' which premieres on Monday, April 21 on Fox, and is hosted by Monica Lewinsky. Mr. Sacks can also offer his perspective on any other aspect of mate selection, dating, or relationships, such as:
- Speed dating events
- Living together before marriage
- Romance in the workplace
- Opposites attract
- How to spice up your love life with your mate
- Online dating
- Infidelity
- Is your summer love 'relationship-worthy' come September
- Dating outside your type

To interview Steven Sacks, contact him directly (9:00 AM -- 11:00 PM ET, seven days a week)

Phone     919-401-0519
Fax     919-401-0531    
Email     steven@matemap.com
Website     http://www.matemap.com

Author photo and book cover are available at: http://www.matemap.com/pressimages.asp