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Human mating behavior

Human mating behavior. Remember - the purpose of science is to explain natural phenomena, and that human behavior is a natural phenomenon that can be explained scientifically

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Human mating behavior

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  1. Human mating behavior • Remember - the purpose of science is to explain natural phenomena, and that human behavior is a natural phenomenon that can be explained scientifically • A scientific explanation for human behavior is just that - an explanation and not an attempt to justify or condone any particular behavior pattern

  2. Human mating behavior • Human mate choice • In species where males and females both make substantial parental investment in offspring, both males and females are expected to be choosy about mates

  3. Human mating behavior • For example, the Mormon Cricket (which is neither a cricket nor Mormon)… Males produce a large bolus of nutritious material (the spermatophylax) that accompanies the spermatophore and is transferred to the female during copulation

  4. Human mating behavior • For example, the Mormon Cricket After copulation the female eats the spermatophylax and uses the nutritious material to produce eggs

  5. Human mating behavior • For example, the Mormon Cricket Females choose males to mate with based on the size of their spermatophylax - the female benefits from her choice by gaining more nutrition The spermatophylax is approximately 25% of the male’s body mass so represents substantial PI

  6. Human mating behavior • For example, the Mormon Cricket Males choose females to mate with based on their body size Larger females produce more eggs than smaller females, so males benefit by being choosy

  7. Human mating behavior • In this case, both males and females make substantial parental investment and both exercise mate choice • The characteristic that females base their choice on (size of spermatophylax) are not the same as the characteristic that males base their choice on (female body size) • Females make choices that promote their reproductive success; males make choices that promote their reproductive success

  8. Human mating behavior • What limits female reproductive success? • Access to resources… • What limits access of human females to resources? • Males control the resources (RHP)… • What characteristics of human males signal RHP? • Wealth or the potential to amass it, however wealth is measured in the culture in question

  9. Human mating behavior • What limits male reproductive success? • Access to female gametes • How do males get access to female gametes?

  10. Human mating behavior • In some cultures males have access to multiple females so have access to many female gametes

  11. Human mating behavior • What about males and females in monogamous cultures? • Do they make choices about potential mates?

  12. Human mating behavior • Human females and human males both make substantial parental investment in offspring, so both are expected to exercise mate choice • Are the characteristics of males that females prefer the same as the characteristics of females that males prefer?

  13. Human mating behaviorthe “mate preference” questionnaire

  14. Human mating behavior • Are the characteristics of males that females prefer the same as the characteristics of females that males prefer? • In some cases, yes… • Both males and females prefer: • Mutual attraction, being in love • Honesty • Good sense of humor • Pleasant disposition

  15. Human mating behavior • Are the characteristics of males that females prefer the same as the characteristics of females that males prefer? • What characteristics do females prefer?

  16. Human mating behavior • What characteristics do females prefer (more than males)?

  17. Human mating behavior • What characteristics do females prefer? • Ambition and industriousness • Good financial prospect • Favorable social status • Education and intelligence • Somewhat older • These characteristics are signals of RHP

  18. Human mating behaviorWhat characteristics do males prefer(more than females)?

  19. Human mating behavior • What characteristics do males prefer? • Good looks • Somewhat younger • That’s it!

  20. Human mating behavior • What characteristics of females do males consider to be “good looks” (physical attractiveness)? • If you look at the advertisements in Cosmopolitan… • Bright eyes, clear skin, full lips, thick glossy hair • What else??

  21. Human mating behavior • What characteristics of females do males consider to be “good looks” (physical attractiveness)? • Low “WHR”

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