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guidefru t1_it454xq wrote

What are your views on evolutionary psychology in the context of human mating? Do you largely agree or disagree with Dr. David buss?

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JourneymanHunt OP t1_it4oxzd wrote

I think there's definitely an aspect of that going on. Look, dating (like everything we do) is a complex mix of biology, psychology, sociology and anthropology. Evolutionary psychology is great for explaining or looking at a certain set of data. But that is just data. For instance, studies show, "we" like symmetrical faces more than asymmetrical, "we" like long silky hair, "we" like women with 7:10 hip to waist ratio. If you ONLY go with that data, it can be surmised that perhaps we are looking for the healthiest mate, perhaps of good breeding age. But that doesn't take into factor ALL the other shit and baggage that make us human.

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For instance, women may biologically be attracted to men with more testosterone (hairier, bigger, wilder), but psychologically unattracted to them because they see them as "dumb jocks." (I am over generalizing and over simplifying things, but you get the idea.)

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So the idea of only one set of data driving our dating and mating drives is a little too simplistic. It's an AMAZING area of research that I love and devour, but it's just a part of a larger whole.

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