Linking Biological and Social Approaches to Personality: Evolution, Gender, and Cognition

Abstract

Gender differences in mating strategies reflect evolved genetic predispositions manifested in ongoing cognition, preferences, and behavior. A summary of general principles of evolutionary psychology is followed by specific applications to gender differences. Several lines of related research are summarized One line of research suggests that male preferences for relatively youthful females, and the converse female preference for older males, do not fit prevailing normative theories. Cross-cultural and developmental data are more consistent with an evolutionary model. Another line of research finds sex differences relatively most pronounced when the sexes differ most in potential parental investment (i.e., when considering casual sexual relationships). Under those circumstances, males’ mate criteria are lower than females, and relatively uncorrected with their own self-evaluations. The final program of research considers gender differences in ongoing social cognition. Discussion considers potential fusion of cognitive science and evolutionary psychology, and the essential importance of personality and social psychology to such an integration.