Title
The Evolutionary Psychology of Human Mate Choice: How Ecology, Genes, Fertility, and Fashion Influence Mating Strategies
Publication Title
Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality
Publication Date
2006
Document Type
Article
DOI
10.1300/J056v18n02_05
Keywords
Sexual selection, fitness indicators, mate choice, mating preferences, mating strategies, parental investment
Disciplines
Biological Psychology | Psychology | Social Psychology
Abstract
The recent incorporation of sexual selection theories into the rubric evolutionary psychology has produced an important framework from which to examine human mating behavior. Here we review the extant empirical and theoretical work regarding heterosexual human mating preferences and reproductive strategies. Initially, we review contemporary evolutionary psychology's adaptationism, including the incorporation of modern theories of sexual selection, adaptive genetic variation, and mate choice. Next, we examine women's and men's mating preferences, focusing on the adaptive significance of material, genetic and fertility benefits, and their relationship to environmental characteristics. Following this, we consider human mate choice in relation to non-adaptive preferences. This discussion ends with a look at context effects for individual differences in mate-preferences and reproductive strategies.
Recommended Citation
Sefcek, Jon A.; Brumbach, Barbara H.; Vasquez, Geneva; and Miller, Geoffrey F. (2006). The Evolutionary Psychology of Human Mate Choice: How Ecology, Genes, Fertility, and Fashion Influence Mating Strategies. Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality 18(2/3), 125-182. doi: 10.1300/J056v18n02_05 Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.kent.edu/psycpubs/108
Publisher
Haworth
Publisher Location
Binghamton, NY