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Mate Preferences and Their Behavioral Manifestations.
David M Buss1, David P Schmitt2
1Department of Psychology, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712, USA;
Annual Review of Psychology
|September 20, 2018
Summary
Human mate preferences, central to sexual selection, shape attraction, mating decisions, and relationship dynamics across diverse contexts. Evolved strategies interact with individual, social, and cultural factors, influencing modern human mating behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Human Sexuality
Background:
- Darwin's theory of sexual selection posits evolved mate preferences as a key driver of reproductive success.
- Human mate preferences are fundamental to understanding sexual strategies and behavioral manifestations across species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the scientific literature on human mate preferences and their behavioral outcomes.
- To explore sex differences and similarities in human sexual psychology within short-term and long-term mating contexts.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing empirical evidence on human mate preferences.
- Analysis of contextual factors influencing mating strategy shifts.
Main Results:
- Mate preferences significantly impact mate attraction, retention, deception, and relationship dissolution.
- Mating strategies dynamically shift based on individual, social, and ecological variables like mate value, sex ratio, and cultural norms.
Conclusions:
- Evolved mate preferences profoundly influence a wide range of mating behaviors and decisions.
- Future research should address the interplay between evolved psychology, cultural technologies, and cultural evolution in shaping human mating.
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