

#817 - Dr Anna Machin - The Evolutionary Psychology Of Love, Lust & Cheating
212 snips Jul 27, 2024
Dr. Anna Machin, an evolutionary anthropologist from Oxford University, explores the intricate psychology behind love, lust, and infidelity. She discusses the hormonal cocktail that drives attraction, uncovering the evolutionary advantages of love and why women cheat. Conversation also traverses the impact of genetics on what we find attractive and how modern dating apps reshape these connections. Machin offers insights into the darker sides of love, the significance of female friendships, and even the intriguing concept of temporary 'beta marriages'.
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Love's Evolutionary Purpose
- Love evolved to aid human survival by fostering cooperation.
- It acts as biological bribery, rewarding us for maintaining crucial relationships.
Animals and Love
- Many animals experience a basic form of love, like attachment, driven by oxytocin and dopamine.
- Humans may overcomplicate love with cultural additions.
Lust vs. Attraction
- Lust and attraction are distinct systems; attraction underpins all relationships, not just romantic ones.
- Attraction starts unconsciously, assessing mate value through sensory information.