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Femininity and masculinity across the menstrual cycle: a relation to mate value
Ivana Hromatko1, Meri Tadinac, Andrea Vranić
1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. ivana.hromatko@ffzg.hr
Collegium Antropologicum
|April 15, 2008
Summary
Masculine traits in women peak during the fertile phase, influencing spatial cognition and mate value. These hormonal shifts suggest an adaptive mechanism for mating motivation and reproductive success.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Human Reproductive Behavior
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Sex hormone fluctuations across the menstrual cycle are known to impact cognitive functions.
- These hormonal shifts are hypothesized to be linked to adaptive changes in human mating motivation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cyclical variations of masculinity and femininity across the menstrual cycle.
- To determine the relationship between these traits and spatial cognitive performance.
- To explore how masculinity and femininity influence women's self-perceived mate value.
Main Methods:
- A series of studies were conducted to assess masculinity and femininity.
- Spatial cognition was evaluated across different phases of the menstrual cycle.
- Self-perceived mate value was measured in relation to masculinity and femininity dimensions.
Main Results:
- Femininity remained constant, while masculinity significantly increased during the fertile period.
- Increased masculinity, not femininity, correlated with enhanced spatial cognition during the fertile phase.
- Distinct levels of masculinity and femininity were associated with varying self-perceived mate value.
Conclusions:
- Hormonal mechanisms may promote assertiveness and dominance during the fertile window.
- Shared hormonal pathways likely underlie menstrual cycle-related cognitive shifts and mating motivation.
- Both feminine and masculine traits contribute to a woman's mate value and reproductive success.
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