The Function of Opposite Sex Friends

Women compete vigorously over mates but do so more subtly than men. In this episode, Dr. Tania Reynolds teaches us how women use gossip to win mates. Additionally, we discuss friendship, thinness, and the evolution of homosexuality, among other subjects.

Tania Reynolds is an assistant professor of Evolutionary Psychology at the University of New Mexico. Her research examines how intrasexual competition and cooperation contribute to psychological and behavioral sex differences. She investigates how pressures for humans' ancestors to select advantageous social allies—and be selected in return—contribute to modern-day preferences, biases, and behaviors.

Connect with Dr. Reynolds on Twitter @TaniaArline, and keep up with her work using the links below:

Department webpage: https://psych.unm.edu/people/faculty/profile/tania-reynolds.html

Research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tania-Reynolds