The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast

chevron_right

235. Evolution, Sex & Desire | David Buss

whatshot 88 snips

Mar 16, 2022

Guest

David Buss

Dr. David Buss, a leading expert in evolutionary psychology and professor at the University of Texas, dives into the intricacies of human mating strategies. He highlights the influence of female choice and dominance hierarchies on attraction. The conversation also explores the dark triad traits, their appeal, and their potential consequences in relationships. Buss discusses societal structures affecting aggression and mating dynamics, alongside the complexities of status and competence in social hierarchies. This dialogue uncovers both the light and dark sides of human nature.

01:48:21

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

insights

INSIGHT

Female Choosiness in Mating

Women are choosier than men regarding casual sex, valuing intelligence and emotional connection.
This choosiness stems from higher parental investment and greater risks associated with poor mating choices.

insights

INSIGHT

Clarifying "Patriarchy"

The concept of "patriarchy" lacks clarity, often serving as a vague, undefined causal force.
Analyzing its components, such as male resource acquisition, reveals deeper evolutionary influences like female mate preferences.

insights

INSIGHT

Benefit Conferral and Status

Status hierarchies arise from conferring benefits, not inflicting costs or dominance.
Contributing to group welfare, like sharing resources or providing protection, elevates status.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Unraveling Evolutionary Psychology

03:32 • 23min

chevron_right

Exploring Personality and Patriarchy

26:46 • 22min

chevron_right

The Dynamics of Attention and Social Status

48:17 • 2min

chevron_right

Exploring Competence Hierarchies and Status Inequality

50:18 • 2min

chevron_right

Dark Triad Dynamics in Relationships

52:33 • 7min

chevron_right

The Dynamics of Attraction

59:18 • 4min

chevron_right

Unpacking Cognitive and Social Hierarchies

01:03:25 • 18min

chevron_right

Aggression, Rejection, and Mating Strategies

01:21:23 • 17min

chevron_right

Personality, Evolution, and Caregiving

01:38:33 • 5min

chevron_right

The Duality of Human Nature: Exploring Love and Altruism

01:43:05 • 3min

chevron_right

#19601

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Positive Evolutionary Psychology

Glenn Geher

Nicole Wedberg

Positive Evolutionary Psychology combines the principles of evolutionary psychology with positive psychology to explore how humans can experience more positive and fulfilling lives. The book discusses topics such as happiness, gratitude, resilience, and community from an evolutionary perspective, offering insights into how these phenomena can be optimized in daily life. It also looks at the future of this emerging field.

#7924

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

The Murderer Next Door

Why the Mind Is Designed to Kill

David Buss

In 'The Murderer Next Door', David M. Buss presents a bold new general theory of homicide from an evolutionary psychology perspective. The book delves into the underlying motives and circumstances of murders, from serial killers to ordinary individuals who commit homicide. Buss argues that the human psyche has evolved specialized adaptations whose function is to kill, and he explains the high-risk situations that can push anyone over the edge. The book features gripping storytelling about specific murder cases and includes findings from extensive studies, including an investigation of homicidal fantasies and detailed analyses of murder data.

#1280

• Mentioned in 18 episodes

The Evolution of Desire

Strategies of Human Mating

David Buss

David Buss's "The Evolution of Desire" explores the evolutionary basis of human mating strategies and preferences. Buss integrates evolutionary theory with empirical research to explain patterns of attraction, mate selection, and relationship dynamics. He examines the differences between men and women's mating strategies, considering factors such as sexual selection and parental investment. The book challenges traditional views on relationships and offers a compelling perspective on the biological underpinnings of human behavior. It's a significant contribution to the field of evolutionary psychology.

#8806

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

The Dangerous Passion

David Buss

#7330

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Why Women Have Sex

Understanding Sexual Motivations from Adventure to Revenge (and Everything in Between)

Cindy M. Meston

David M Buss

Through extensive interviews and pioneering research, Cindy M. Meston and David M. Buss uncover the multifaceted reasons women engage in sex, ranging from pleasure and health to more complex psychological and evolutionary motivations. The book delves into various aspects of female sexuality, including the use of sex for protection, status, resource acquisition, and even as a form of medication.

#2138

• Mentioned in 12 episodes

When Men Behave Badly

The Hidden Roots of Sexual Deception, Harassment, and Assault

David Buss

In 'When Men Behave Badly', David Buss delves into the evolutionary psychology behind male behaviors that interfere with women's choices and goals. The book identifies and documents various 'bad male behaviors' such as pretending to have more status or financial resources, engaging in secret sexual affairs, being hyper-vigilant and controlling, and physically and psychologically abusing women. Buss explains these behaviors through the lens of evolutionary selection, highlighting the role of the Dark Triad traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy) in exacerbating these behaviors. The book also discusses how these behaviors can be addressed at both social and individual levels, emphasizing the need for women to be aware of these traits and for society to implement measures to prosecute and prevent such behaviors.

This episode was recorded on October 26, 2021.

As an alternative for those who would rather listen ad-free, sign up for a premium subscription to receive the following:

• All JBP Podcast episodes ad-free

• Monthly Ask-Me-Anything episodes (and the ability to ask questions)

• Presale access to events

• Premium, detailed show notes for future episodes

Dr. David Buss and I discuss his groundbreaking work in evolutionary psychology. Our conversation forays into human mating practices & strategies, female preferences, dominance hierarchies, (fe)male aggression, emotional regulation & status, the dark triad (narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy), inherent inequality, and much more.

Dr. David Buss is a professor of psychology at the University of Texas who has also taught at Harvard and the University of Michigan. He is considered the world’s leading expert on human mating strategies and is one of the founders of the field of evolutionary psychology.

His books include The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating, Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind, The Dangerous Passion: Why Jealousy is as Necessary as Love and Sex, The Murderer Next Door: Why the Mind Is Designed to Kill, and Why Women Have Sex.

Get Dr. Buss’ latest book, When Men Behave Badly: The Hidden Roots of Sexual Deception, Harassment, and Assault:

https://amazon.com/When-Men-Behave-Badly-Harassment/dp/B08ZT82RH6/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1642690863&refinements=p_27%3ADavid+Buss&s=books&sr=1-2

& previous works: https://amazon.com/Books-David-Buss/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ADavid+Buss

Follow Dr. Buss on Twitter: https://twitter.com/profdavidbuss

______________

Chapters

______________

[00:00] Intro

[02:09] Career Background

[06:50] Human Mating Strategies

[09:18] Patriarchy & Mating

[10:52] Female Preferences & Resource Acquisition

[14:54] Sexual Selection Theory: An Overview

[25:23] Patriarchy: Origins

[27:36] (Dominance) Hierarchies

[40:20] Women & the Dark Triad (Narcissism, Machiavelianism, & Psychopathy)

[57:59] Attention & (Fe)male Selection

[01:04:24] Violence

[01:07:47] Emotional Regulation & Status

[01:13:59] Disturbing Ethical Conclusions

[01:20:25] (Fe)male Aggression

[01:23:29] Monogamy & Violence

[01:28:30] Inequality

[01:33:40] Why Strategies Differ

[01:42:45] Outro

#Evolution #Hierarchies #Patriarchy #Violence #Gender #Monogamy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books