Evolution, Sex & Desire | David Buss | EP 235

The speaker discusses the distressing truths discovered through years of studying IQ literature, revealing a broad gap in cognitive abilities among humans. They delve into how men and women face different selection pressures: men for their ability to ascend competence hierarchies and women for their sexual attractiveness and signs of fertility and youth. The conversation emphasizes the importance of confronting the harshness of life and human nature, including sex differences, rather than ignoring them. Dr. David Bass, a professor of psychology and expert in human mating strategies, is introduced as a significant influence on the speaker's thinking.

Dr. Bass shares his journey into evolutionary psychology, driven by a quest to understand human nature on a solid scientific foundation. He expresses dissatisfaction with traditional psychology theories that lacked grounding in evolutionary theory. The discussion highlights the early development of sex differences, such as rough-and-tumble play and sense of humor, which are cross-culturally universal. Dr. Bass's work focuses on the evolutionary hypotheses testing in humans, particularly mating strategies, given that all humans must go through mating to reproduce. The conversation touches on the complexity of human mating strategies, including long-term pair-bonding and other less common forms like polyandry.

The conversation explores the conditions that give rise to polyandrous mating systems, which are typically found in societies where one man cannot support a family alone, leading to brothers sharing a wife. The discussion challenges the notion that patriarchy alone explains differences in mating strategies across sexes and cultures. It delves into the idea of 'patriarchy' and its components, such as men's worldwide tendency to have more economic resources, which is linked to women's universal preference for men with resources. The speakers also discuss the co-evolutionary process set up by women's mate preferences and the traits that enable men to acquire resources.

The speakers discuss sexual selection theory, distinguishing it from natural selection and focusing on the evolution of qualities that lead to mating success. They explore the idea that women are choosier due to their higher investment in offspring, as proposed by parental investment theory. Evidence is presented to support the idea that women are more selective in their choice of sexual partners, particularly in the context of casual or short-term relationships. The conversation also touches on the importance of women's mate preferences in shaping male traits and behaviors.

The conversation delves into the complexities of female mate preferences, discussing how women balance the need for a mate who is agreeable and capable of forming a bond, yet also able to deal with free riders and potential threats. It explores the attraction some women have towards individuals with dark triad traits, suggesting that these traits might be confused with competence or used as markers for status. The speakers also discuss the potential evolutionary benefits of low agreeableness in certain contexts, such as solving the free rider problem.

The speakers discuss the concept of status hierarchies and dominance, challenging the notion that hierarchies are solely based on oppression. They present research findings that suggest status is more often achieved through conferring benefits rather than inflicting costs. The conversation explores the idea that generosity with resources can lead to higher status and that this behavior is beneficial for the group. It also touches on the evolutionary perspective that men are in competition with each other, rather than united in oppressing women as a group.

The conversation examines the evolutionary roots of aggression, particularly between men and women. It discusses the idea that aggression is selectively deployed and context-specific, often in response to threats to one's status or public humiliation. The speakers also explore the concept of emotional regulation and how it is tied to an individual's status within a group, suggesting that threats to one's position in a hierarchy can lead to increased negative emotions and potentially aggressive behavior.

The speakers discuss the differences between male and female hierarchies for sexual selection, highlighting the greater emphasis men place on physical attractiveness in women. They explore the idea that women use makeup to enhance their sexual attractiveness, which is linked to evolved preferences for signs of fertility and youth. The conversation also touches on the social and psychological implications of these preferences, including the potential for objectification and the challenges faced by those at the lower end of these hierarchies.

The conversation delves into the evolutionary basis of human cooperation, exploring the idea that status hierarchies are deeply rooted in human nature and are not merely a product of Western society or capitalism. The speakers discuss the importance of recognizing the biological underpinnings of human behavior and the potential dangers of attempting to reshape human nature through social engineering. They also touch on the topic of assortative mating for intelligence and its potential impact on increasing inequality in society.

The speakers discuss the rapid evolution of human intelligence, suggesting that it was driven in part by sexual selection and the need for cognitive abilities to navigate complex social environments. They explore the idea that the development of a large human brain was not solely for survival but also for social and mating success. The conversation also touches on the modern implications of this evolutionary process, including the challenges of childbirth due to the size of human heads and the ongoing nature of evolutionary change.

The conversation explores the different strategies of aggression exhibited by men and women, with men being more physically aggressive and women more likely to engage in social or relational aggression. The speakers discuss the evolutionary reasons behind these differences and how they manifest in various social contexts. They also touch on the importance of understanding and managing aggression rather than simply explaining its existence.

The speakers discuss the evolutionary psychology of motherhood, suggesting that women's personalities may be adapted for the mother-infant dyad. They explore the idea that women's higher levels of negative emotionality and agreeableness may be linked to their role as primary caretakers of infants throughout human evolutionary history. The conversation also touches on the importance of detecting danger and providing protection for their vulnerable infants.

The conversation concludes by acknowledging the darker aspects of human nature discussed throughout the dialogue but also highlights the potential for benevolence and altruism. The speakers express optimism about the capacity for humans to evolve adaptations that promote positive behaviors and benefit-conferring actions towards others. They suggest that understanding these aspects of human nature can help create environments that encourage the expression of more altruistic behaviors.