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Is Dating Behavior in Digital Contexts Driven by Evolutionary Programs? A Selective Review
Jorge Ponseti1, Katharina Diehl1, Aglaja Valentina Stirn1
1Institute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry, Medical School, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany.
Frontiers in Psychology
|March 17, 2022
Summary
Evolutionary psychology suggests ancient sexual strategies influence digital dating. Men and women use dating apps according to sex-typical behaviors, impacting future human sexuality.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Human Sexuality
- Digital Communication
Background:
- Millions use digital dating services globally, with unknown long-term effects on human sexuality.
- Sexual selection theory posits that sex-dimorphic behavioral tendencies (sexual strategies) evolved to enhance reproductive fitness.
- These evolved strategies are hypothesized to persist and influence behavior in digital environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate how evolutionary-based sexual strategies manifest in digital dating.
- To explore the impact of digital dating services on sexual well-being.
- To predict the future interaction of ancient human sexual strategies and technology.
Main Methods:
- A selective review of studies on digital dating services was conducted.
- Hypotheses were derived from sexual selection theory to guide the review.
- 13 studies were analyzed from an initial pool of 2,568 records.
Main Results:
- Digital dating behavior aligns with sex-typical strategies, supporting evolutionary hypotheses.
- Digital environments can alter communication dynamics, sometimes increasing male initiation.
- Women may achieve sexual goals more effectively than men in digital dating due to a surplus of male demand.
Conclusions:
- Digital dating is influenced by a combination of innate, sex-dimorphic sexual strategies and technological advancements.
- Future human sexuality will likely be shaped by the interplay between evolved psychological mechanisms and new communication technologies.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for comprehending contemporary and future sexual behavior.
Keywords:
dating appsdating platformsdigital sexual servicesevolutionary psychologysexual selectionsexual strategiesMore Related Videos
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