Quote:
Originally Posted by Libertine
Actually, your ideas on the evolutionary strategy of females are a bit outdated. These days, the idea is that while females often paired up with a single mate because of his abilities in providing for her, they often sought out other genetic material when at the height of their fertility. That is to say, they paired up with the good providers, and got pregnant with the genetically superior non-monogamous types. Experiments have shown that women's taste in men changes when they are ovulating, making them more susceptible to the "charms" of high-testosteron, macho individuals.
As for men, one would assume they'd have several different evolutionary strategies, not just one.
I don't really trust evolutionary psychology and biology all that much, though... Reconstructing evolutionary history by using ambiguous experimental data seems a rather error-prone strategy to me.
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Yes, I have read similar research. Some theorize that women cheat for this reason (find a stable, invested male, but become impregnated by the high-testosterone type). Sort of a have your cake and eat it too thing, though I wouldn't be quick to cast moral judgment on it. Some of these same researchers would consider rape as a viable reproductive strategy (in the animal kingdom, of course). Still, the idea of pair-bonding with an investing male is pertinent to the discussion.
Your criticism of evolutionary theory as backward-looking is valid, but I do enjoy it and feel that it explains much of our behavior.