Modern Wisdom #161 - Rob Henderson - Evolution & The Modern Dating Market
Apr 20, 2020
Rob Henderson, a PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge and US Air Force veteran, dives into the chaotic world of modern dating. He discusses how Tinder has distorted traditional dating norms and explains the striking statistic that 20% of men are linked to 80% of sexual encounters. Rob explores evolutionary preferences, like why men might find muscularity attractive and the complexities behind attraction dynamics. He also unpacks the impact of the pandemic on casual relationships and the evolving challenges in society's dating landscape.
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Evolutionary Psychology Basics
- Evolutionary psychology explains attraction through reproductive fitness.
- Traits maximizing gene survival, even if self-destructive, persist.
Public Displays of Dominance
- Men's propensity for fighting increases with observers, showcasing dominance for status.
- This behavior, evolutionarily advantageous in tribal settings, can be risky today.
Reproductive Investment and Mate Choice
- Women are choosier about partners due to higher reproductive investment.
- Men's attraction to muscle signals resource access and conscientiousness, valuable traits for offspring.
