403. Attraction, Beauty, Growth, and Sex | Dr. Sarah Hill
Dec 7, 2023
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Dr. Sarah Hill, a researcher and professor at TCU, is an expert in women’s sexual psychology and author of "This Is Your Brain on Birth Control." In this discussion, she explores the impact of hormonal contraception on women's behavior and identity. They dive into gender dynamics in sexual regret, the influences of hormones on attraction, and the balance of nurturing and personal growth in modern motherhood. Hill also addresses the challenges women face in academia and the evolving expectations surrounding gender roles in relationships.
Women's reproductive vulnerability and the costs associated with pregnancy shape their sensitivity to threats and emotional responses.
Women tend to be attracted to competent and high-status men due to evolutionary factors highlighting reproductive advantages.
Women are more likely to experience regret after engaging in short-term sexual encounters due to higher risks and costs associated with reproduction.
Increasing workforce participation of women in academia may lead to a division between performers and non-performers, impacting the demographic makeup of university staff.
Hormonal birth control can have psychological and physiological effects, such as changes in attraction and potential impact on brain development.
Deep dives
The Definition of a Woman and the Biological Basis of Sex Differences
The podcast episode begins by discussing the definition of a woman and the biological basis of sex differences. It explains that women, as the sex that invests more in reproduction, have smaller sex cells and a higher minimum investment than men. This fundamental difference in investment sets the stage for the evolution of sex differences in behavior and physiology. The episode also explores how women's reproductive vulnerability and the costs associated with pregnancy shape their sensitivity to threats and their emotional responses.
Mate Choice Copying and Perception of Competence
The podcast delves into the phenomenon of mate choice copying and its implications for women. It explains that women tend to be drawn to men who are perceived as competent and high in status, as these qualities signal their ability to provide resources and support. This behavior is influenced by evolutionary factors that highlight the reproductive advantages of partnering with successful and competent males. The podcast also highlights the balance between investment in offspring and the pursuit of individual goals, discussing how women's investment in children can impact their personal and professional lives.
Short-Term Mating, Sex differences in Regret, and the Dark Tetrad
The podcast explores sex differences in short-term mating strategies and the subsequent experiences of regret. It reveals that women are more likely to experience regret after engaging in short-term sexual encounters, as they face higher risks and costs associated with reproduction. The discussion also delves into the potential role of personality traits, such as the Dark Tetrad (psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, sadism), in predicting regret. It suggests that individuals with these traits may be more inclined to pursue short-term mating opportunities without experiencing remorse or regret.
The Impact of Women's Workforce Participation on Universities
The podcast touches upon the impact of women's increasing workforce participation on universities. It mentions that as more women enter the workforce, especially in academic positions, there may be a shift in the demographic makeup of university staff. This shift may include women who are competent, driven, and motivated, while also seeking flexibility due to familial responsibilities. The podcast suggests that this shift may lead to a division between performers and non-performers, with women performing well and men who seek higher-status, higher-paying careers opting for professions outside academia.
The Impact of Hormonal Birth Control on Women's Stress Response
Women on hormonal birth control do not have an adaptive cortisol response to stress. This means that they do not produce cortisol, a hormone that helps the body adapt to stress. The consequences of this are still not fully understood, but research suggests that it may lead to changes in inflammatory responses, increased risk of depression and anxiety, and difficulty encoding emotionally valence events. The blunted cortisol response may also impact brain development, especially when women are put on hormonal birth control at a young age.
The Synthetic Hormones in Birth Control
The synthetic hormones used in hormonal birth control are not bioidentical to the hormones naturally produced by the body. While the synthetic estrogen is similar to the body's estrogen, the synthetic progesterones, called progestins, are not identical to progesterone. Progestins are often synthesized from testosterone and may have lower binding specificity and affinity to hormone receptors. This can lead to the activation of unintended receptors and the need for higher doses of synthetic hormones.
A Letter to My Daughter and the Importance of Education
The author emphasizes the need to educate women about their hormone health and the trade-offs and risks associated with hormonal birth control. She argues for a more nuanced conversation that acknowledges the unique experiences and needs of women, rather than assuming the male perspective as the norm. The author also raises concerns about the lack of comprehensive understanding of the long-term consequences of hormonal birth control, especially when used during adolescence and development.
The impact of hormonal birth control on women's preferences for masculine men
Research has shown that women who are on hormonal birth control tend to desire less masculine male faces and voices compared to women who are not on birth control. This preference for less masculine men can have consequences for partner choice and relationship satisfaction. Women who choose their partners while on birth control may find them less desirable once they discontinue the pill. This highlights the potential impact of hormonal birth control on women's perception of masculinity in men, and raises questions about the societal consequences of these preferences.
The complex trade-offs of hormonal birth control
Hormonal birth control presents a series of trade-offs for women. On one hand, it offers an effective method of preventing pregnancy and allows women to invest in their careers and education. On the other hand, it can have psychological and physiological effects that are not fully understood. The potential risk of depression, changes in attraction, and impact on brain development are all areas that need further exploration. It is crucial for women to educate themselves about the trade-offs of hormonal birth control and have open conversations about their reproductive and sexual health.
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down in-person with researcher, professor, and author, Dr. Sarah Hill. They break down sex-based differences in regret, competition, and academia; the balance between life exposure and safeguarding when raising a child; the practice of “mate-choice copying” among women; and why our hormones are a foundational part not just of our physical makeup, but also of who we are and who we have the potential to become.
Dr. Sarah E. Hill is a researcher and professor at TCU and author of “This is your brain on birth control: the surprising science of women, hormones, and the law of unintended consequences”. In addition to being at the forefront of research on women’s sexual psychology, Sarah is also a sought-after speaker, consultant, and media expert in the area of women’s hormones and sexual psychology.
- Links -
For Dr. Sarah Hill:
Website http://www.sarahehill.com
On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahehillphd/?hl=en
On X https://twitter.com/sarahehillphd?lang=en
On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sarahehillphd2/
“Your Brain on Birth Control” (Book) https://www.amazon.com/This-Your-Brain-Birth-Control/dp/0593713915/ref=asc_df_0593713915/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=658806742010&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8951630360526719621&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9013185&hvtargid=pla-2188306336691&psc=1&mcid=7d514ad8aff23a3b83c3018ff98076d9
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