Evaluating Evidence of Mate Preference Adaptations: How Do We Really Know What Homo sapiens sapiens Really Want?

Abstract

From an evolutionary psychology perspective, it is likely our species comes equipped with specialized psychological adaptations that influence the differing ways men and women pursue mating strategies. When short-term mating, men seem to preferentially desire easy sexual access and relax their mate preference desires so as to obtain large numbers of sexual partners. When women pursue short-term mates, they appear to increase their selectivity in mate choice and desire men who possess cues to “good genes.” In long-term mating, men preferentially emphasize fertility-related cues such as youth and physical attractiveness, whereas women desire a long-term mate who is able and willing to devote resources to her and their offspring. Overall, the empirical validity of most mate preference adaptations postulated by Sexual Strategies Theory (Psychological Review 100:204–232, 1993) is strong to moderate in evidentiary depth and breadth.