Tight Genes and Bright Colors: How do Men and Women Attract Each Other

1
Tight Genes and Bright Colors How do Men and
Women Attract Each Other?

• The Evolutionary Psychology of David Buss
• 3-30-05
• Psy 250

2

• Similar to Freud, Kinsey, and Masters Johnson
  before him, David Buss states
• The findings from all of these studies caused
  controversy and confusion among my colleagues,
  because in many respects they contradicted
  conventional thinking. They forced a radical
  shift from the standard view of mens and womens
  sexual psychology But a scientist cannot wish
  away unpleasant findings. P. 5
• Also see p. 18, paragraph 3

3
Methods

• Original study consisted of 10, 047 persons
  surveyed worldwide
• 14 - 70 years of age
• But then 50 new studies with 1,000s more
• See pages 4 - 5 for more details

4
What does an evolutionary approach offer the
study of human sexuality?

• cross-cultural studies to prove universality of
  theory not exclusively on Europeans and
  Euro-Americans
• theoretical focus on actual behavior to explain
  intent not unconscious thought

5
What does an evolutionary approach offer the
study of human sexuality?

• emphasis on mating as a system of compatibilty,
  commitment, intelligence, age, health, and other
  factors.... not just release of sexual tension
  (release of sexual tension is a nice by-product
  which reinforces the behavior)

6
What does an evolutionary approach offer the
study of human sexuality?

• adaptive behavior, adaptive solutions and
  adaptations a central focus not orgasm (orgasm
  being just one behavior that has been selected
  for probably because it makes sexual intercourse
  enjoyable)
• genetic inheritance central

7
What does an evolutionary approach offer the
study of human sexuality?

• valuable reproductive resources is a key
  concept not libido
• sexual strategies is a key concept not deviance
• competition a key concept not neurosis or
  preversion

8
Evolutionary Support for Whismans Findings

• Notice how choice is an adaptive advantage for
  women Consider this in relation to Whismans
  findings. (see p. 47)
• The origins of homosexuality remain a mystery
  p. 61
• Lesbians and gay men have distinctly different
  mating preferences underscoring Whismans
  conclusion that studying homosexuality as a
  general category is not possible due to gender
  differences. Pp. 62 - 63