Analyzing Human Mating Behavior

Trivers' (1972) theory of parental investment makes two important observations about mate selection: The gender that provides the greatest amount of parental investment will be more selective when choosing their mate. Therefore, the gender providing less parental investment will encounter more competition for potential mates.

As this applies to humans, women tend to be the more selective gender and men the more competitive. This theory appears to be very true; women tend to value traits that indicate a better aptitude for resource acquisition wich as socioeconomic status and ambition, while men generally value indicators of genetic value when choosing a mate (Feingold, 1992). However, the process of human reproduction is complicated by human's tendencies toward sexual jealousy and sexual bonding; Gray (2007) states that "People everywhere develop strong emotional ties to those toward whom they are sexually drawn" (p. 81). Because of these tendencies, the human reproduction process parallels that of the superb fairy wren; Gray (2007) observes that they are "socially but not sexually monogamous" (p. 79). The different sexual ideals of males and females conflict and, therefore, must be negotiated in order to ensure the propagation of the human race.

The nature of human reproduction is such that paternal parental investment is not essential to offspring survival. Consequently, short term mating strategies are more favorable to males; Buss and Schmitt (1993) assert that by inseminating as many females as possible while providing as little parental investment as possible, males increase the odds of forwarding their genes. In contrast, the large amount of parental investment required by females makes long term mating strategies much more favorable for them. By attaining the commitment of their male counterparts, females can capitalize on the consequent non-genetic resources provided by the male (food, protection).