One topic I found particularly interesting was whether taking hormonal birth control, like the pill, interferes with womens choice of partner. From an evolutionary psychology perspective, mate preferences related to genetic compatibility are often considered an adaptation, because choosing a partner with different immune system genes (MHC) may increase the health and survival of offspring. Some research suggests that women who are not on the pill tend to prefer the scent of men with dissimilar MHC genes. However, studies show that women on the pill may have weaker or even reversed preferences, which means hormonal changes could influence natural attraction patterns rather than leaving them unchanged.
I found this idea interesting because it suggests that something as common as the pill could affect relationship formation in ways people are not aware of. I connected this to real life, where attraction is often thought to be purely personal or emotional, but this research shows a biological influence. It made me think about how modern interventions might unintentionally shape important decisions like partner choice.
Sources:
Alvergne, A., & Lummaa, V. (2010). Does the contraceptive pill alter mate choice in humans? Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 25(3), 171179.
Roberts, S. C., Gosling, L. M., Carter, V., & Petrie, M. (2008). MHC-correlated odour preferences in humans and the use of oral contraceptives. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 275(1652), 27152722.
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A topic I found interesting from week 13 was how females tend to prefer men that are older than themselves. From an evolutionary perspective, it actually makes sense. Older men are more likely to have their lives together financially than younger men. Theres also research that supports this. David Buss (1989) found across different cultures that women usually preferred men who were about 4 years older. Another study by Douglas Kenrick and Richard Keefe (1992) showed that women tended to marry men who were around 5 years older than them.
I just think its interesting that this pattern is so consistent, even now when women are more independent and dont necessarily need to rely on men financially. It makes me wonder if this preference is still partly biological or if its starting to change with modern dating.
Buss, D. M. (1989). Sex differences in human mate preferences: Evolutionary hypotheses tested in 37 cultures. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 12(1), 149.
Kenrick, D. T., & Keefe, R. C. (1992). Age preferences in mates reflect sex differences in human reproductive strategies. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 15(1), 75133.
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